alkyl

American  

[al-kuhl] / ˈæl kəl /

adjective

1. containing an alkyl group.

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noun

1. an alkyl group.

alkyl British  

/ ˈælkɪl /

noun

1. (modifier) of, consisting of, or containing the monovalent group C n H 2n+1

   alkyl group or radical

2. an organometallic compound, such as tetraethyl lead, containing an alkyl group bound to a metal atom

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alkyl Scientific  

/ ăl′kəl /

1. A radical that has the general formula C _n H _{2n + 1}, formed by removing a hydrogen atom from an alkane. Ethyl and propyl are alkyls.

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Etymology

Origin of alkyl

1880–85; < German, equivalent to Alk ( ohol ) alcohol + -yl -yl

Example Sentences

Although alkyl ketones are far more common, they are also naturally harder to reduce than their aryl counterparts.

From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2025

The team suspected that choosing the correct ligand might unlock reactivity with alkyl ketones.

From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2025

These radicals are highly useful intermediates in natural product synthesis and pharmaceutical research, but most available techniques are designed for aryl ketones rather than simpler alkyl ketones.

From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2025

The names and structures of these and several other alkyl groups are listed in Figure 20.5.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

The second major group of insecticides, the alkyl or organic phosphates, are among the most poisonous chemicals in the world.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson