Fenoksiryhmä

Fenoksiryhmä refers to a phenoxy group, which is a functional group in organic chemistry with the structure R-O-C₆H₅, where R is an organic substituent and C₆H₅ represents a phenyl ring. It is an ether linkage where an oxygen atom is bonded to a phenyl group. The name itself is derived from "fenoksi" meaning phenoxy in Finnish.

This group is commonly encountered in a variety of organic compounds. For example, anisole, also known as methoxybenzene, contains a phenoxy group where R is a methyl group. Phenoxyacetic acid is another example, featuring a phenoxy group attached to an acetic acid moiety. Many herbicides and pesticides incorporate the phenoxy group into their chemical structures, such as 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid). These compounds often exert their biological activity through their interaction with plant growth hormones.

The phenoxy group is relatively stable due to the resonance between the oxygen atom's lone pairs and the pi system of the phenyl ring. This resonance contributes to the overall electronic properties and reactivity of molecules containing the phenoxy group. Its presence can influence properties like solubility, boiling point, and chemical reactivity.