What are alkyl substituents?

1 Answer
anor277
Jan 26, 2017

#C_nH_(2n+1)# residues.

Explanation:

The general formula for all alkanes is #C_nH_(2n+2)#. This formula describes ALL alkanes, and we say the molecule is #"saturated"#, that is #C-H# are at a maximum. Each time we substitute the carbon chain with another functional group, we replace 1 hydrogen with that functional group; cf. #CH_4# versus #CH_3X#, #2n+1# as req'd........

Related questions
See all questions in Definition of 'Chemistry' and 'Organic'
Impact of this question
2063 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License