Is CH2 an alkyl group?

2 Answers
Al E.
Apr 19, 2018

Alone?

It's generally called a carbene, which is very reactive with alkenes, forming cyclopropane.

In a molecule? I would call it a (1) methylene.

puu.sh

Simon Moore
Apr 19, 2018

Simply put: no, it isn't.

Explanation:

An alkyl group is generally understood to be a stable substituent functional group, in other words, something that is attached to the carbon backbone of an organic species.

#CH_2# is either part of the carbon backbone (not something attached to it), i.e. #-CH_2-#, or (as the other poster commented) it could be in the form of a carbene, which is a highly reactive intermediate with two unshared valance electrons (#:CH_2#).

So in neither case would the term "alkyl group" apply.

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