Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry - Alpha carbon

Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

α-Carbon (alpha carbon): The carbon atom directly bonded to an atom, group, functional group, or other moiety of interest.

Alpha carbon in an ester.

Alpha carbon in an alkyl bromide.

An alpha carbon can also be a beta carbon, depending upon the reference point.

Related terms: β-carbon, primary carbon, 1^o carbon, secondary carbon, 2^o carbon, tertiary carbon, 3^o carbon, quaternary carbon, 4^o carbon, α-hydrogen, alpha-hydrogen, β-hydrogen, beta-hydrogen, β-elimination, α-helix, β-sheet
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