Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, contains the following functional groups:
- Amide: Acetaminophen has an amide functional group due to the presence of a carbonyl group (C=O) directly bonded to a nitrogen atom (NH). This feature plays a crucial role in its biological activity.
- Benzene Ring: The structure of acetaminophen includes a benzene ring, which is a six-carbon aromatic ring that contributes to its chemical stability and hydrophobic character.
Although acetaminophen contains these two functional groups, it does not have ketones, alcohols, or amines in its structure. The analysis of its molecular structure reveals that it is specifically the amide and benzene components that define the compound’s functionality.