Question #417da

1 Answer
Mar 26, 2017

There are 3 hydrogens but only one carbon so alkyl groups can lose electrons to carbon atoms along a chain of such atoms.

Explanation:

In methane, carbon forms four covalent bonds with four hydrogen atoms. C is just a little more electronegative than H, so the electrons in the bonds are all pulled a little towards the carbon.

When such an electron-rich carbon-centered methyl group attaches to other compounds it behaves as electron donor. This is called hyperconjugation:

https://www2.chemistry.msu.edu/faculty/reusch/virttxtjml/special3.htm