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( Methyl group)
In chemistry, a methyl group is a hydrophobic alkyl functional group named after methane (CH4). It has the formula -CH3 and is often abbreviated -Me. Such hydrocarbon groups occur in many organic compounds. Methyl groups can be incorporated into organic compounds by an SN2 reaction on iodomethane, or by the reaction of methyl lithium or MeMgCl with a carbon atom that is substituted with a leaving group. The introduction of methyl groups as substituents into a compound usually increases its lipophilicity and reduces its solubility in water. It should ease its absorption into biological membranes and make its release into aqueous surroundings more difficult. Incorporating a methyl group into a molecule can have any of three effects, each increasing its reactivity (the rate of its metabolism) The reactivity of a methyl group depends on what it is attached to. When occurring in an alkane, it is quite unreactive and resists all but the strongest of acids, bases, oxidizing agents, and reducing agents. But in toluene, C6H5CH3, the methyl group is considerably more reactive, due to the electron donating propensity of the ring. Electrophilic reagents are then able to attack the methyl group. For example, oxidation with permanganate converts the methyl group to carboxyl (-COOH), to produce benzoic acid.
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Methyl group Subcategories
Methyl group Articles
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