METHYL GROUP Meaning and
Definition
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A methyl group is a commonly occurring molecular moiety, consisting of one carbon atom connected to three hydrogen atoms. It is the simplest alkyl group, marked by the presence of a single carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms, denoted as -CH3. It acts as a functional group in many organic compounds.
Methyl groups are frequently found in numerous organic compounds, including alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics. They serve as substituents, commonly attached to carbon or nitrogen atoms in various biological molecules. Methyl groups prominently contribute to the chemical and physical properties of these compounds.
The addition or substitution of a methyl group in a molecule can often lead to significant changes in its reactivity, stability, and biological activity. This structural modification can substantially impact the compound's properties such as boiling point, melting point, solubility, and volatility.
Methyl groups play a crucial role in biochemical processes as well. They are involved in DNA methylation, a process where a methyl group is added to the DNA molecule, influencing gene expression and epigenetic regulation. Methylated DNA can determine the functioning of genes and genetic imprinting during embryogenesis and development.
Overall, the methyl group is a fundamental entity in organic chemistry and biology, commonly found in various compounds and essential for the understanding of chemical reactions, properties of organic molecules, and biological processes.
Common Misspellings for METHYL GROUP
- nethyl group
- kethyl group
- jethyl group
- mwthyl group
- msthyl group
- mdthyl group
- mrthyl group
- m4thyl group
- m3thyl group
- merhyl group
- mefhyl group
- meghyl group
- meyhyl group
- me6hyl group
- me5hyl group
- metgyl group
- metbyl group
- metnyl group
- metjyl group
Etymology of METHYL GROUP
The word "methyl" originates from the French word "méthyle", which was coined by the French chemist Jean-Baptiste Dumas in 1834. Dumas derived the term from the Greek word "methy", which means "wine" or "intoxication". This name was chosen because the first known compound containing a methyl group, methyl alcohol or methanol, was obtained by the destructive distillation of wood, a process used to produce wood alcohol. Since then, the term "methyl" has been used to describe the CH₃ group in organic chemistry.
Similar spelling word for METHYL GROUP
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