Functional group identification
What Functional group identification means in Chemistry A-Level, as defined for OCR.
Definitions of Functional group identification
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Reference: OCR
Using the position and shape of absorption bands to distinguish functional groups, for example a broad absorption around 3200–3600 cm⁻¹ indicating an O–H group in an alcohol.
Absorption peaks are matched to functional groups, such as a broad O–H around 2500–3300 cm⁻¹ for a carboxylic acid or a sharp C=O around 1680–1750 cm⁻¹ for a carbonyl.
Recognising the arrangement of atoms that defines each group in a displayed structure, not just spotting a single atom, and reporting each group separately.
Topics that use Functional group identification
- Analytical techniques (OCR A-Level)
- Nitrogen compounds, polymers and synthesis - 6.2.5 Organic synthesis (OCR A-Level)
- Spectroscopy (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- Fragmentation
- Absorption and re-emission of infrared radiation
- Absorption of infrared radiation
- Absorption of infrared radiation by bond vibrations
- base peak
- Basicity of amines
- Bond stretching and bending
- Bond vibration and absorption of IR radiation
Using Functional group identification in the exam
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