Alkoxy Group Definition in Chemistry

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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.
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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.

  • 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-.

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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 March 25, 2023).