Problem 82 - Chemistry: The Central Science

Question

If a molecule is an "ene-one," what functional groups must it have?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

An "ene-one" molecule must contain both a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C), which is an alkene functional group, and a carbonyl group (C=O), which is either an aldehyde or a ketone functional group.

Step 1: Identifying the "ene" part

The "ene" in "ene-one" refers to the presence of a double bond between two carbon atoms (C=C) in the molecule. This functional group is called an alkene, which is a hydrocarbon containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds.

Step 2: Identifying the "one" part

The "one" in "ene-one" refers to a carbonyl group present in the molecule. A carbonyl group consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom (C=O). When the carbonyl group is present at the end of the carbon chain, the functional group is called an aldehyde. If the carbonyl group is bonded to another carbon atom within the chain, the functional group is called a ketone.

Step 3: Combining functional groups

To classify a molecule as an "ene-one", it must contain both a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C) and a carbonyl group (C=O). As a result, the molecule must have both an alkene and a carbonyl functional group (either an aldehyde or a ketone).