alkyl group

chemical compounds

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

An alkyl group is a monovalent organic group, typically derived from an alkane by removing one hydrogen atom. These groups, represented by 'R' in chemical formulas, form the backbone of many organic compounds and are crucial in determining a molecule's reactivity and properties.12

Chemical compounds are substances formed when two or more chemical elements are chemically bonded together. Organic compounds, which form the basis of life, are characterized by the presence of carbon atoms, forming diverse structures. Functional groups, such as double bonds in alkenes or triple bonds in alkynes, are specific arrangements of atoms within a molecule that dictate its chemical behavior. Alkyl groups are fundamental building blocks in the vast field of organic chemistry.345

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

7 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

carbonium ion
Preparation and stability.
…of an alkyl, or hydrocarbon, group), of a carbon–carbon or carbon–hydrogen single bond. Since carbonium ions are positively charged species, they are most readily formed in relatively polar solvents (solvents consisting of molecules with unsymmetrical distribution of electrons), which help disperse their charges or the charges on the accompanying negative…
Read More
…of an alkyl, or hydrocarbon, group), of a carbon–carbon or carbon–hydrogen single bond. Since carbonium ions are positively charged species, they are most readily formed in relatively polar solvents (solvents consisting of molecules with unsymmetrical distribution of electrons), which help disperse their charges or the charges on the accompanying negative…
Read More

hydrocarbon
Nomenclature
…and ethyl are examples of alkyl groups. An alkyl group is derived from an alkane by deleting one of its hydrogens, thereby leaving a potential point of attachment. Methyl is the only alkyl group derivable from methane and ethyl the only one from ethane. There are two C₃H₇ and four…
Read More
…and ethyl are examples of alkyl groups. An alkyl group is derived from an alkane by deleting one of its hydrogens, thereby leaving a potential point of attachment. Methyl is the only alkyl group derivable from methane and ethyl the only one from ethane. There are two C₃H₇ and four…
Read More

organometallic compound
Simple alkyl ligands
…and in doing so the alkyl group acts as a one-electron monohapto ligand. Many such compounds are known, but they are less common in the d block than in the s and p blocks. This may in part be a result of the modest M―C bond strengths. Another reason for…
Read More
…and in doing so the alkyl group acts as a one-electron monohapto ligand. Many such compounds are known, but they are less common in the d block than in the s and p blocks. This may in part be a result of the modest M―C bond strengths. Another reason for…
Read More