Question

What are alkyl groups? Give an example

Answer 1

Organic compounds are of different types, mainly containing carbon and hydrogen atoms only.
Alkanes, alkenes and alkynes all belong to organic compounds.
Alkanes are single covalently bonded organic compounds; loss of a hydrogen atom leads to the formation of alkyl groups.

Complete answer:
Alkanes are organic compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms.
The bonds involved in alkanes are single covalent bonds.
Thus, both the carbon and hydrogen atoms have only a single covalent bond between them.
The general molecular formula of alkanes is ${C_n}{H_{2n + 2}}$, where $n$ is the number of carbon atoms.
While writing the IUPAC nomenclature of alkanes, the parent chain of alkanes must be considered.
The suffix of the parent chain must be -ane.
The root word for the parent chain containing the different carbon atoms will be as follows:
$n = 1$the root word is Meth
$n = 2$the root word is Eth
$n = 3$the root word is Prop
$n = 4$the root word is But
When one hydrogen atom is removed from the alkanes, then the compounds formed are called alkyl groups.
The general molecular formula of alkyl groups is ${C_n}{H_{2n + 1}}$, where $n$is the number of carbon atoms.
The alkyl groups are not found in nature but are attached to other groups.
The naming of the alkyl groups can be written by considering the root word for the carbon base chain and the suffix will be -yl.
Thus, the examples of alkyl groups can be obtained by removing the hydrogen atom from alkanes.
$C{H_3}$methyl group
${C_2}{H_5}$ethyl group
${C_3}{H_7}$Propyl group.

Note:
Alkyl groups are formed by losing one hydrogen atom from alkanes.
The removal of a hydrogen atom from alkenes or alkynes do not form alkyl groups.
The nomenclature of alkyl groups should end with -yl. They occur in nature, but found to be attached with other groups.