Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry - Alkoxy group

Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

Alkoxy group: A portion of a molecular structure featuring an alkyl group bonded to an oxygen atom.


Methoxy group (in red)		Tert-butoxy group (in red)

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) once used as a gasoline oxygenate, contains two alkoxy groups, a methoxy group -OCH₃ and a tert-butoxy group -OC(CH₃)₃.

Ethyl phenyl ether contains only one alkoxy group, an ethoxy group. PhO is not an alkoxy group because the benzene ring is not an alkyl group.

Related terms: Acetyl group, activating group, acyl group, alkanoyl group, alkoxy group, alkyl group, allyl group, amido group, amino group, benzoyl group, benzyl group, butyl group, carbonyl group, carboxyl group, deactivating group, directing group, electron donating group, electron releasing group, electron withdrawing group, ethyl group, formyl group, functional group, hydroxyl group, isobutyl group, isopropyl group, leaving group, methine group, methoxy group, methyl group, methylene group, nitro group, phenyl group, phosphate group, propargyl group, propyl group, protecting group, R group, sec-butyl group, sulfhydryl group, tBDMS group, tBDPS group, tert-butyl group, TMS group, trifluoromethyl group, vinyl group, alkoxide, substituent
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