| functional group n. An atom or group of atoms that replaces hydrogen in an organic compound and that defines the structure of a family of compounds and determines the properties of the family. |
functional group (funkˑ·sh
n·l grōōpˑ),n an atom or group of atoms of a molecule that is chemically reactive and imparts the chemical characteristics of a molecule. Alkenes, aldehydes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, ketones, and esters are common functional groups.
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