The compound acquire specific chemical properties due to these hetero atoms or the groups of atoms that contain hetero atoms, irrespective of length and nature of the carbon chain in that compound. Therefore these hetero atoms or groups of atoms containing hetero atoms are called the functional groups.
Functional group |
Compound |
Formula |
-OH |
Ethyl alcohol |
C2H5OH |
-CHO |
Acetaldehyde |
CH3CHO |