nalkyylit

Nalkyylit, or n-alkyl groups, are alkyl substituents in organic chemistry characterized by a straight, unbranched carbon chain that is attached to the rest of a molecule. The n- prefix stands for normal, indicating an unbranched structure. An n-alkyl group has the general formula CnH2n+1, and it is attached through the terminal carbon of the chain.

Common examples include methyl (CH3-), ethyl (CH3-CH2-), propyl (CH3-CH2-CH2-), and butyl (CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-). They occur widely as substituents in hydrocarbons, alcohols, amines, and polymers. They contrast with branched alkyl groups such as isopropyl and tert-butyl, which have the same carbon count but a different arrangement.

In naming, the n- prefix indicates a straight-chain substituent and is used for precision when needed. In common usage, n-propyl and n-butyl are widely found in literature, while propyl or butyl may refer to a mix of isomeric forms depending on context. The term is used across organic chemistry to specify the exact connectivity of the substituent.

Applications of n-alkyl groups include synthesis by alkylation, often using alkyl halides in SN2 reactions or via reduction of carbonyl derivatives. They appear in solvents such as n-hexane and n-heptane, in detergents with long hydrophobic chains, and as side chains in polymers that influence solubility, crystallinity, and mechanical properties.

Physical properties depend on chain length and linearity: longer, straight chains raise boiling points and hydrophobicity, while branching tends to lower boiling points for the same carbon count and can alter solubility behavior.