Organic chemistry involves the study of compounds containing carbon atoms. These compounds can be classified into functional groups based on their molecular structure. Each functional group has a specific set of properties and reactivity, which makes it important to know the priority series of organic functional groups. To remember this priority series, several tricks and mnemonics can be used.


The CARSON rule is a popular trick used to remember the priority series of organic functional groups. It stands for:

C - Carboxylic acid
A - Acid chloride
R - Ester
S - Amide
O - Alcohol
N - Amine

This rule suggests that the higher the letter in the mnemonic, the higher the priority of the functional group. Therefore, carboxylic acids have the highest priority, followed by acid chlorides, esters, amides, alcohols, and amines.


The FANBOYS rule is another trick used to remember the priority series of organic functional groups. It stands for:

F - Fluorine
A - Alcohol
N - Amine
B - Bromine
O - Alkoxide
Y - Chlorine
S - Sulfur
This rule suggests that the higher the letter in the mnemonic, the higher the priority of the functional group. Therefore, fluorine has the highest priority, followed by alcohols, amines, bromine, alkoxides, chlorine, and sulfur.


The OIL RIG rule is a mnemonic used to remember the priority series of organic functional groups. It stands for:

O - Oxidation
I - Isomerization
L - Levorotation
R - Racemization
I - Inversion
G - Glycoside formation

This rule suggests that the higher the letter in the mnemonic, the higher the priority of the functional group. Therefore, oxidation has the highest priority, followed by isomerization, levorotation, racemization, inversion, and glycoside formation.


The priority series of organic functional groups is an important concept in organic chemistry. Several tricks and mnemonics can be used to remember the priority series, including the CARSON rule, FANBOYS rule, and OIL RIG rule. By using these tricks, students can easily remember the priority series and apply it to various organic chemistry problems.

U may check on youtube..u will get varieties of mnemonics among which u can choose the one which u like the most..