Methyl
Methyl
Methyl (/ˈmɛθɪl/) is a chemical group derived from methane, containing one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms — CH3.
Etymology
The term "methyl" comes from the Greek words 'methy' meaning wine, and 'hyle' meaning wood. It was first used in the 19th century to describe a substance obtained by the distillation of wood.
Structure and Properties
A methyl group is an alkyl derived from methane, containing one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms — CH3. In formulas, the group is often abbreviated Me. Such hydrocarbon groups occur in many organic compounds. It is a very stable group in most molecules. While the methyl group is usually part of a larger molecule, it can be found on its own in any of three forms: anion, cation or radical. The anion has eight valence electrons, the radical seven and the cation six. All three forms are highly reactive and rarely observed.
Related Terms
- Methane: Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CH4. It is the simplest alkane and the main component of natural gas.
- Alkyl: An alkyl group is a piece of a molecule with the general formula (CH3)n, where n is the number of bonded hydrogen atoms.
- Hydrocarbon: Hydrocarbons are organic compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon.
- Anion: An anion is a negatively charged ion.
- Cation: A cation is a positively charged ion.
- Radical (chemistry): In chemistry, a radical is an atom, molecule, or ion that has unpaired valence electrons.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Methyl
- Wikipedia's article - Methyl
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