36.1.1—For an organic molecule containing several

When a molecule contains multiple functional groups, identify each group first, then combine their reaction patterns without letting one group erase the others.

Check for competing conditions and selectivity: an aldehyde, alcohol, amine or carboxylic acid may each respond to different reagents, while steric and electronic effects can alter access.

An amino acid contains both –NH₂/–NH₃⁺ and –COOH/–COO⁻ chemistry, so it can act as an acid or base and form peptide bonds.

Do not assign one “overall functional group” to a multifunctional molecule; list the groups and test the reagent against each.