Question

Sulfanilamide is an antibacterial. Based on its name and suffix, which functional group is likely present?

Short answer

Sulfanilamide likely contains a sulfonamide group.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the suffix

The suffix '-amide' in sulfanilamide indicates the presence of an amide functional group. Amides are derivatives of carboxylic acids where the hydroxyl group is replaced with an amino group.

Recognize the prefix and context

The prefix 'sulfa-' in sulfanilamide suggests the presence of a sulfonamide group. This prefix is common in antibacterial compounds hinting at the sulfonamide functional group, which includes the sulfur atom.

Identify the functional group from the name

From the name sulfanilamide, two functional groups are likely: the sulfonamide group (-SO₂NH₂) due to 'sulfa-', and the amide group (-CONH₂) due to '-amide.' However, sulfanilamide typically refers to a compound with a sulfonamide group.

Key concepts

Amide Functional Group

In organic chemistry, the amide functional group is quite significant due to its prevalence in both natural and synthetic compounds. Amides are characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group (C=O) directly bonded to a nitrogen atom (N). This compound structure typically looks like -CONH₂ when attached to the rest of a molecule.

Amides are generally derived from carboxylic acids, where the hydroxyl group (OH) in the acid is replaced by an amino group (NH₂). This transformation modifies the properties of the compound, making amides less acidic than carboxylic acids.

Additionally, the strength of hydrogen bonds formed by amides contributes significantly to their structural stability and high melting points. This property is particularly crucial in biological systems, where amide groups play key roles in the formation of proteins and peptides, forming the backbone of these macromolecules.

Sulfonamide Group

The sulfonamide group is a vital functional group in medicinal chemistry, most notably for its use in antibacterial agents. Structurally, sulfonamides are characterized by the presence of a sulfonyl group (SO₂) attached to an amino group (NH₂), represented as -SO₂NH₂.

These compounds are derived from sulfonic acids where the hydroxyl group is replaced by an amine, altering their activity and reactivity. The unique structure allows sulfonamides to interact with biological systems effectively, inhibiting bacterial growth by interfering with folic acid synthesis. This is why they are often hailed as 'sulfa drugs' in the pharmaceutical field.

Understanding the sulfonamide linkage is important because the sulfur element plays a crucial role in its activity, providing unique chemical properties that are not found in other functional groups. This adaptation makes sulfonamides structurally rigid but versatile when it comes to forming medicinal compounds.

Organic Chemistry Basics

Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry dealing with carbon-containing compounds. At its core, it's about studying the structure, properties, composition, and reactions of organic materials.

A fundamental aspect of organic chemistry is the concept of functional groups, which are specific groupings of atoms within molecules that have distinct chemical properties. These groups dictate how the molecule behaves in chemical reactions.

Common functional groups include alcohols (OH), amines (NH₂), carboxylic acids (COOH), esters (COOR), and many others. Each group has unique characteristics that influence the entire molecule's reactivity and physical properties.

• For example, the hydroxyl group in alcohols typically makes these compounds soluble in water and capable of forming hydrogen bonds.
• Unlike other compound classes, organic molecules are mainly built on chains or rings of carbon atoms.

This complex chemistry forms the basis of life, with countless applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry, making the study of organic chemistry essential for understanding and manipulating the world around us.