Homologous series in general

Hi, I’m reading about the characteristics of a homologous series, which makes sense for the most part, but regarding functional groups, it becomes a little confusing.

I have only looked at alkanes so far, and the course informs me that they have a functional group. However, when I looked online to learn what a functional group is, I read that alkanes do not have a functional group.

Now, I'm just confused, lol. If I understand correctly, a functional group is a group of atoms that remain unchanged throughout the series. Which would explain why that group would have a similar chemical reaction?

Using Alcohol, as an example, with OH being unchanged and present throughout the series?

Hence, alkanes can't have a functional group as the molecular structure change by ch₂ by each consecutive molecule.

Reply 1

charco

Study Forum Helper

Original post by KingRich

Hi, I’m reading about the characteristics of a homologous series, which makes sense for the most part, but regarding functional groups, it becomes a little confusing.
I have only looked at alkanes so far, and the course informs me that they have a functional group. However, when I looked online to learn what a functional group is, I read that alkanes do not have a functional group.
Now, I'm just confused, lol. If I understand correctly, a functional group is a group of atoms that remain unchanged throughout the series. Which would explain why that group would have a similar chemical reaction?
Using Alcohol, as an example, with OH being unchanged and present throughout the series?
Hence, alkanes can't have a functional group as the molecular structure change by ch₂ by each consecutive molecule.

Alkanes do not have a "functional group".

Reply 2

KingRich

Original post by charco

Alkanes do not have a "functional group".

Thank you for confirming. Later in the section, the content suggests that the functional group in alkanes is responsible for their comparable chemical reactions throughout the alkanes, too.

How the course has QAA status is beyond me.