alkilo

Alkilo is a class of substituent in organic chemistry derived from alkanes by removing one hydrogen atom. In English, the standard term is alkyl; alkilo is used in several other languages. An alkilo substituent is attached to a molecule in place of a hydrogen and is often represented by the symbol R– in reaction schemes. The general formula for an acyclic alkilo group is CnH2n+1, where n is the number of carbon atoms in the corresponding alkane.

Common examples include methyl (CH3–), ethyl (C2H5–), and propyl (C3H7–). Isomeric alkilo groups exist as well, such as isopropyl and tert-butyl. Names are formed by replacing the -ane ending of the parent alkane with -yl (for example methane becomes methyl, ethane becomes ethyl).

Alkilo groups are generally nonpolar and hydrophobic, and they act as substituents that modify the properties of larger molecules. Reactivity centers on the carbon bearing the alkilo group, and compounds containing alkilo groups participate in reactions such as alkylation and nucleophilic substitution, often through alkyl halides (R–X) or organometallic reagents.

Applications of alkilo groups are widespread in organic chemistry, including fuels, solvents, polymers, and pharmaceuticals. They influence physical properties such as boiling point and solubility and play a central role in the nomenclature and mechanisms used to describe organic reactions.