Alkoxy Group Definition in Chemistry

water atom
Getty Images / Juan Gartner
By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
Learn about our Editorial Process
Updated on July 08, 2019

An alkoxy group is a functional group containing an alkyl group (carbon and hydrogen chain) bonded to an oxygen atom. Alkoxy groups have the general formula: R-O. An alkoxy group is also known as an alkyloxy group.

The hydroxyl functional group is an oxygen-containing group based on an alcohol or OH group.
Read More
Hydroxyl Group Definition in Chemistry
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
  • An alkoxy group bonded to a hydrogen atom is an alcohol.
  • An alkoxy group bonded to another alkyl group is an ether.

Examples: The simplest alkoxy group is the methoxy group: CH3O-.

Format
mla apa chicago
Your Citation
Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Alkoxy Group Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/definition-of-alkoxy-group-604765. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2021, February 16). Alkoxy Group Definition in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-alkoxy-group-604765 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Alkoxy Group Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-alkoxy-group-604765 (accessed April 20, 2024).