Families of Organic Compounds Organic compounds can be grouped into families by their common structural features The common structural feature that makes it possible to classify compounds by reactivity are called functional groups Functional group-collection of atoms at a site within a molecule with a common bonding pattern The group reacts in a typical way,generally independent of the rest of the molecule For example,the double bonds in simple and complex alkenes react with bromine in the same wayFamilies of Organic Compounds „ Organic compounds can be grouped into families by their common structural features „ The common structural feature that makes it possible to classify compounds by reactivity are called functional groups „ Functional group - collection of atoms at a site within a molecule with a common bonding pattern „ The group reacts in a typical way, generally independent of the rest of the molecule „ For example, the double bonds in simple and complex alkenes react with bromine in the same way