This song differentiates between the different families of organic compounds based on the sharing of functional groups in different positions on the carbon chain. All music and lyrics copyright 2007 by Mark Rosengarten. All rights reserved. Lyrics: Alkanes, Alkanes, they're driving me insane All single-bonded carbons joined together in a chain C-n-H-2-n plus 2's the formula we use Methane, propane and octane are good fuels to choose! Alkenes, Alkenes, their structure really screams While sleeping, August Kekule had double-bonded dreams If you have five carbons, Hs will be ten They undergo addition when you add a halogen Alkynes, Alkynes, the molecules that shine They have got a triple bond somewhere along their spine They have two less Hs than their alkene analogues Some are used to make the toxin thats produced by frogs! Hydrocarbons molecules that have some H and C They form the basic building blocks that make both you and me Without hydrocarbons, life just cant exist If they were not with us, they would sure be missed! Alco-alco-alcohols have a hydroxyl group An OH that is bonded to the chain, yeah, thats the scoop Its covalent bonded, so the suckers not a base Methanol evaporates real quick and leaves no trace! If you have carboxyl group thats sticking out the end, Then an organic acid is what you have my friend If carboxyl group is in the middle of the chain, Then you have an ester, the odors pretty plain If you have a carbonyl, a double-bonded O One end of the molecule, thats where it needs to go Dead organic samples can be soaked in aldehyde Its great for preservation, now just open wide! If the carbonyl is in the middle, not the end A ketones what you have, your fingernails youll tend! They are good dissolvers of much nonpolar stuff 2-propanonane is good for when the goings really rough! Amines and amides both have a nitrogen Amines end in NH2 and crop up now and then Amides also have a double-bonded O Now my song is over, its time for me to go! Hydrocarbons molecules that have some H and C They form the basic building blocks that make both you and me Without hydrocarbons, life just cant exist If they were not with us, they would sure be missed! Sometimes they have some other atoms dangling from the chain Identify a family without a lot of pain Find which group belongs to which organic family Just open up your eyes and the world belongs to thee!