Question

Androsterone is a male hormone. Based on its name and suffix, which functional group is likely present?

Short answer

Androsterone likely contains a ketone group due to the '-one' suffix.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Primary Suffix

In organic chemistry, the suffix '-one' typically refers to the presence of a ketone functional group within a molecule. A ketone is characterized by a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom (C=O), where this carbon atom is also bonded to two other carbon atoms.

Analyze the Specific Name 'Androsterone'

Androsterone, by its name, indicates the presence of a specific category of compounds known as steroids. Steroids often include functional groups that are responsible for their biological activities. The '-one' suffix in 'androsterone' suggests a ketone group is an essential part of its structure.

Conclude the Functional Group Present

Given the '-one' suffix in 'androsterone' and the common naming convention in organic chemistry, it is logical to conclude that this molecule likely contains a ketone functional group.

Key concepts

Functional Groups

In organic chemistry, functional groups are specific groupings of atoms within molecules that have distinct chemical properties. These groups are responsible for the typical reactions of those molecules. Identifying functional groups within a compound is crucial as it helps predict reactivity, chemical behavior, and physical properties. Each functional group can greatly alter how a compound interacts with other chemicals.
For instance, common functional groups include hydroxyl (–OH), amino (–NH₂), and carboxyl (–COOH) groups. Each has a unique impact on the molecule's characteristics. By recognizing these groups, chemists can deduce much about a substance's chemistry.

Ketone Group

The ketone group is a functional group characterized by a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom, often symbolized as ">C=O". This carbon atom is additionally bonded to two other carbons, distinguishing ketones from aldehydes where the carbonyl carbon is bonded to at least one hydrogen. Understanding ketones is important because they are prevalent in many organic compounds and have distinctive properties, including influencing boiling points and solubility.

• Significantly, ketones do not have a hydrogen atom attached to their carbonyl group, which makes them generally less reactive than aldehydes.
• An example of a common ketone is acetone, often used in industry and the household as a solvent due to its ability to dissolve many substances efficiently.

Steroids

Steroids are a large group of compounds that have a core structure of four rings of carbon atoms. These interconnected rings give steroids their unique shape and lead to a variety of biological functions in living organisms. Steroids include many hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen, which are crucial for physiological processes.
Interestingly, steroids often contain other functional groups, such as ketone or hydroxyl, which contribute to their specific biological activities.

• They're involved in maintaining metabolism, immune function, and regulating salt and water balance.
• Many steroids used medicinally have been synthesized to harness specific biological effects, adapting them to treat various conditions, from inflammation to hormonal imbalances.

The presence of different functional groups in steroid molecules, such as ketone groups, plays a crucial role in their chemical and biological activity.