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Organic Chemistry Functional Groups Simplified to Memorize By Leah Fisch

September 27, 2015 By Leah4sci 47 Comments

Organic chemistry functional groups made easyFunctional groups are key to success in organic chemistry. In order to recognize reactive portions of a molecule, you must first recognize the functional groups that influence reactivity.

But how do you quickly memorize the groups when they look so similar?

This video breaks down the common organic chemistry functional groups to help you understand what to look for along with mnemonics and memory tips.

(Watch on YouTube: Functional Groups. Click CC on bottom right for transcript.)

Links & Resources Mentioned In This Video:

  • Functional Groups Study Guide Cheat Sheet
  • Need a review on Functional Groups? Functional Groups Practice Quiz 
  • Pencil trick to identify primary/secondary/tertiary/quaternary groups
  • Naming Branched Alkanes

–> Watch Next Video: Introduction To IUPAC Nomenclature

This is Pre-naming Video in the Naming Organic Compounds Video Series. Click HERE for the entire series.

Filed Under: Nomenclature Tagged With: functional groups, naming, nomenclature

Comments

  1. Jan says

    May 12, 2019 at 4:26 am

    you are ace. thank you for all these, they make orgo achievable

    Reply
  2. Lynn says

    December 28, 2018 at 2:30 pm

    Still relevant and useful! Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Neil Murphy says

    October 2, 2018 at 2:33 pm

    Leah, you are amazing I love how you shown each name had a hint of its function Aminde = for double bond. I can’t wait to watch the next video. Neil Murphy

    Reply
  4. Akhil kumar says

    August 21, 2018 at 10:54 pm

    Thanks a lot, it’s very helpful for me☺

    Reply
  5. Lorence Goriwodho says

    April 10, 2018 at 10:18 pm

    Love this

    Reply
  6. Lorence Goriwodho says

    April 10, 2018 at 10:06 pm

    The video on Functional groups is phenomenal, educative,clear and easy to understand l will definitely pass my exams ,many thanks Leah

    Reply
  7. M says

    February 25, 2018 at 3:08 pm

    Thank you so much! This is just amazing and really easy to follow through!

    Reply
  8. kirti sharma says

    February 21, 2018 at 12:27 am

    Thank you,this video help me to recall all functional group which is really helpful.

    Reply
  9. Ada says

    December 27, 2017 at 9:46 pm

    I always get the carboxylic acid derivatives mixed up (as well as the ethers and esters). I think I might have everything straight for good 🙂
    I watched this video as part of the HW for the AA Workshop. As soon as you said “phenyl”, it hit me: the structure of phenylalanine is just alanine (with is Gly with an additional C) with a phenyl attached to it! Mind. Blown.

    Reply
  10. Lameez says

    November 19, 2017 at 5:46 am

    Fantastic Leah .. very helpful to assist teaching Chemustry after many years .. I’m a fan

    Reply
  11. Amanda says

    October 15, 2017 at 9:14 am

    Hello Leah,
    Thank you so very much. I am a year 12 chemistry student in Australia and this is GOLD! I love how just like maths, the language of chemistry is international 🙂
    God bless you.

    Reply
  12. Gina says

    October 8, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    Amazing! This video helped me to identify an ether correctly on my last exam. Leah, you’re a gem.

    Reply
  13. Gunjan Rana says

    September 28, 2017 at 1:38 pm

    Thank you soo much it just saved my life.

    Reply
  14. Cameron masakolo says

    August 7, 2017 at 8:46 am

    Wow! I just fall in love with organic chemistry…thanks for the help

    Reply
  15. Nima Sabri says

    June 1, 2017 at 3:03 pm

    Leah you are amazing ! Thank you so much

    Reply
  16. Ayush Ankit says

    April 25, 2017 at 4:47 am

    Which book do you follow? I watched your video and it was a identification of a good teacher. In my country, there is a tough exam held every year which includes the syllabus of chemistry. I can’t watch more videos because it costs lots of data charge. So, please answer the above question.

    Reply
  17. sungtira khan says

    March 17, 2017 at 11:20 am

    if a carbon atom is bounded to 4 other atoms then under certain conditions it is changed into carbocation.will carbocationchanged its hybridization state from sp3 to sp2 if it happen then how it can be please answer briefly

    Reply
  18. sungtira khan says

    March 17, 2017 at 11:16 am

    i want to ask a question.if a carbon atom is bounded to four other atoms then under certain conditions it is changed into carbocation.will carbocation changed its hybridization state from sp3 to sp2 if it happen then how it can please reply as soon as possible

    Reply
  19. Paul says

    December 22, 2016 at 6:04 pm

    A fantastic series of lectures , very clearly presented…Youve got a very easy listening voice as well.

    Reply
    • Leah4sci says

      December 29, 2016 at 3:52 pm

      Thank you very much, Paul!

      Reply
  20. asecret says

    November 17, 2016 at 9:35 am

    ah….. i m a fan of your explanation Leah…. thank u so much dear.

    Reply
    • Leah4sci says

      November 17, 2016 at 4:33 pm

      Thanks asecret

      Reply
  21. Selekie M. Kamara says

    November 10, 2016 at 12:21 pm

    i would like for the opportunity to improve my skill further.with Leah,chemistry becomes a joke.

    Reply
    • Leah4sci says

      November 17, 2016 at 4:33 pm

      Selekie that’s awesome! Hope this means you’re enjoying the material

      Reply
  22. Mohamed Yahia Alabaidy says

    October 21, 2016 at 4:52 pm

    isn’t it ethylmethylamine and of course thanks for that great work

    Reply
  23. Serah Temai says

    October 11, 2016 at 10:19 pm

    it really helpme with my organic chemistry

    Reply
    • Leah4sci says

      October 19, 2016 at 12:47 pm

      Glad to hear that, Serah!

      Reply
  24. Candace says

    July 5, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    Love it, this really helped!

    Reply
    • Leah4sci says

      August 4, 2016 at 12:57 pm

      Glad to help!

      Reply
  25. Stephen says

    May 6, 2016 at 9:08 am

    Clear and listener-friendly 🙂 Thanks

    Reply
    • Leah4sci says

      July 3, 2016 at 11:08 am

      Thank you Stephen!

      Reply
  26. sakshi says

    March 22, 2016 at 8:03 am

    thanks for helping me

    Reply
    • Leah4sci says

      April 4, 2016 at 5:50 pm

      You’re welcome Sakshi

      Reply
  27. Tracy says

    February 24, 2016 at 11:09 pm

    Very helpful! Thank you so much! 🙂

    Reply
    • Leah4sci says

      April 4, 2016 at 5:32 pm

      You’re very welcome Tracy

      Reply
  28. Shykim says

    December 5, 2015 at 12:55 am

    Yes i have seen it while ago☺ very helpful for my assignments☺

    Reply
  29. caleb says

    November 25, 2015 at 6:01 am

    This was an extremely helpful , Thank you so much !!!

    Reply
    • Leah4sci says

      November 28, 2015 at 9:55 pm

      Glad you found it helpful Caleb

      Reply
  30. caleb says

    November 25, 2015 at 5:59 am

    Thank you !!!

    Reply
  31. Amy says

    November 17, 2015 at 11:34 am

    Hello Leah, thank you. Do you have a video on haloalkanes? I’m wondering if it’s under another name perhaps. Best, Amy

    Reply
    • Leah4sci says

      November 23, 2015 at 2:41 pm

      Reactions or naming?

      Reply
  32. Amy says

    November 11, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    Leah, just starting chemistry A- level fast track organic chemistry names is baffling and frightening me. Thanks for this no-nonsense approach and helpful guide. I look forward to watching your other videos

    Reply
    • Leah4sci says

      November 13, 2015 at 11:03 pm

      You’re very welcome! Good luck on your A-level exams

      Reply
  33. Edwin says

    October 6, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    This was an extremely helpful amd easy to follow review! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Leah4sci says

      October 10, 2015 at 5:42 pm

      Glad you like it Edwin!

      Reply
  34. 2018 says

    September 27, 2015 at 7:17 pm

    thank you so much this helped a lot!

    Reply
    • Leah4sci says

      September 28, 2015 at 6:25 pm

      You’re very welcome!

      Reply

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