Science & STEM

Functional Group Quiz: Identify common organic groups by structure

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This quiz helps you quickly identify common functional groups by structure and name. Get instant feedback, clear answers, and tips to build speed. For more practice, try the functional group identification test, the organic nomenclature quiz, and the ir spectroscopy quiz.

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1Ethanol contains an aldehyde fun<wbr>ctional group.
2Acetone is an example of a ketone.
3Which fun<wbr>ctional group is present in CH3CONH2?
4Which fun<wbr>ctional group is primarily responsible for the acidity of acetic acid?
5Benzene is an alkene.
6The IR absorption of a simple, unconjugated carbonyl group typically appears near which wavenumber?
7A primary alcohol is oxidized to a ketone using PCC.
8Keto-enol tautomerism interconverts a carbonyl compound with a double bond adjacent to an -OH group.
9Acid anhydrides are formed by the dehydration of two carboxylic acids.
10What product is formed when a primary amine reacts with an aldehyde under mildly acidic, dehydrating conditions?
11In 1H NMR, the aldehydic proton typically resonates at which chemical shift (&#x3B4;)?
12Acetals are readily hydrolyzed under basic conditions.
13A lactone is best described as which of the following?
14Dehydration of a tertiary alcohol with strong acid typically proceeds by which mechanism to give an alkene?
15Which fun<wbr>ctional group has the highest priority in IUPAC naming?
16Organocuprates (Gilman reagents) react with acid chlorides to give tertiary alcohols after aqueous workup.
17The Wittig reaction converts an aldehyde or ketone into which fun<wbr>ctional group connectivity?
18Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of a ketone inserts an oxygen adjacent to the carbonyl; which group generally migrates most readily?
19Which transformation proceeds via an acyl azide rearrangement to an isocyanate intermediate, often yielding amines after hydrolysis?
20Conjugation with a C=C lowers the C=O stretching frequency in IR compared to a nonconjugated carbonyl.
Learning Goals

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Functional Groups -

    Use the functional groups quiz to recognize the structure and defining features of key organic groups such as alcohols, amines, and carboxylic acids.

  2. Analyze Molecular Structures -

    Examine chemical formulas and diagrams to pinpoint functional groups within complex molecules and understand their roles in reactivity.

  3. Differentiate Structural Isomers -

    Distinguish between constitutional isomers by comparing how identical atoms connect to form different functional group arrangements.

  4. Classify Organic Compounds -

    Categorize hydrocarbons and functionalized molecules based on their functional groups, enhancing your ability to name and predict properties.

  5. Apply Quiz Feedback -

    Leverage instant quiz responses to correct misunderstandings and reinforce accurate identification of organic functional groups.

  6. Track Learning Progress -

    Monitor your score improvements over time to build confidence and guide further study in organic chemistry.

Study Guide

Cheat Sheet

  1. Core Functional Group Families -

    Review key organic chemistry functional groups - alcohols, carboxylic acids, amines, and esters - by focusing on their defining bonds (e.g., C - O, C=O, N - H). Structures from MIT OpenCourseWare show that classifying by family helps in any functional groups quiz for quick identification. Visualize each group's general formula (R - OH, R - COOH) to cement recognition.

  2. Structural vs. Stereoisomers -

    Distinguish structural isomers (same formula, different connectivity) from stereoisomers (same connectivity, different spatial arrangement) as outlined by the University of California, Berkeley Chemistry Department. Drawing both Fischer and Newman projections can clarify chiral centers and E/Z configurations. Practice by sketching C₄H₝₀O isomers to master this concept for your functional group quiz.

  3. Reactivity Trends & Polarity -

    Understand how electronegativity differences set the stage for reactivity: alcohols are more polar than ethers, and carboxylic acids are stronger acids than phenols. According to IUPAC guidelines, ranking functional groups by acidity (pKa) or nucleophilicity helps predict reaction pathways. Use simple reaction arrows (nucleophile attacks C=O) to test your knowledge in every organic chem functional groups quiz.

  4. IUPAC Nomenclature Essentials -

    Master the rules for naming organic functional groups - identify the parent chain, prioritize highest-order groups (carboxylic acids > aldehydes > alcohols), and apply proper suffixes. The Royal Society of Chemistry resources recommend numbering chains to give substituents the lowest possible locants. Regularly write names for compounds like 3-methylbutan-1-ol to build speed for the functional group quiz.

  5. Mnemonics & Memory Tricks -

    Boost retention with catchy phrases: "OH my alcohols, CO my acids!" helps recall - OH vs - COOH groups, while "Am I in amine?" flags the - NHâ‚‚ moiety. The University of Oxford's chemistry outreach suggests color-coding flashcards by group polarity for visual reinforcement. Incorporate these mnemonics before your next organic functional groups quiz to boost confidence and recall.

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Updated Feb 24, 2026