Alkyl

Nomenclature

Alkyl groups form homologous series. The simplest series have the general formula −C_nH_2n+1. Alkyls include methyl, (−CH₃), ethyl (−C₂H₅), propyl (−C₃H₇), butyl (−C₄H₉), pentyl (−C₅H₁₁), and so on. Alkyl groups that contain one ring have the formula −C_nH_2n−1, e.g. cyclopropyl and cyclohexyl. The formula of alkyl radicals are the same as alkyl groups, except the free valence "−" is replaced by the dot "•" and adding "radical" to the name of the alkyl group (e.g. methyl radical•CH₃).