Question

How would you explain an ethyl group?

Answer 1

Hint In organic chemistry alkane is referred to as acyclic saturated hydrocarbons. In simple words we can say that alkane consists of hydrogen and carbon atoms which are arranged in a tree structure i.e. all the carbon-carbon bonds are single bonded.

Complete Step by step solution:
Alkanes have a general structural formula shown as ${{C}_{n}}{{H}_{2n+2}}$. The parent molecule of alkane is methane in which the value of $n=1$and methane is represented as $C{{H}_{4}}$ and this n ranges from 50 i.e. it contains a very number of molecules. IUPAC which stands for International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry defines alkanes as acyclic branched or unbranched hydrocarbons containing the general formula ${{C}_{n}}{{H}_{2n+2}}$ and molecules are entirely made up of hydrogen atoms and saturated carbon atoms. There is also a category of alkanes which is known by the name cycloalkane having general molecular formula ${{C}_{n}}{{H}_{2n}}$.
The first member of alkane family is methane whereas with $n=2$ the second member of this family is ethane which is represented by the chemical formula ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{6}}$ and ethyl is an alkyl substituent of ethane which is represented by the chemical formula ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{5}}$. It can also be shown by the formula $-C{{H}_{2}}C{{H}_{3}}$ and ethyl is often abbreviated as Et. According to IUPAC nomenclature of organic chemistry prefix eth is used which describes the presence of two carbon atoms.

Hence ethyl group is represented by ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{5}}$ and $-C{{H}_{2}}C{{H}_{3}}$.

Note: Ethane is also a colorless and odorless gas when ethane is linked with hydroxyl group then it forms ethanol which is known as alcohol and this is used in beverages. At room temperature ethanol exist as very flammable gas