Methyl radical
 |
|
| Names | |
|---|---|
|
IUPAC name
Methyl
|
|
|
Systematic IUPAC name
λ3-Methyl
|
|
| Other names
Hydrogen carbide(-III)
Methyl radical |
|
| Identifiers | |
2229-07-4 
|
|
| 3D model (Jmol) | Interactive image |
| 1696831 | |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:29309 |
| ChemSpider |
2299212
|
| 57 | |
| MeSH | Methyl+radical |
| PubChem | 3034819 |
| UNII |
S19006ZD7R
|
|
|
|
|
| Properties | |
| CH3 | |
| Molar mass | 15.04 g·mol−1 |
|
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
|
|
| Infobox references | |
Methyl (also systematically named trihydridocarbon) is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH•
3 (also written as [CH
3]•). It is a metastable colourless gas, which is mainly produced in situ as a precursor to other hydrocarbons in the petroleum cracking industry. It can act as either a strong oxidant or a strong reductant, and is quite corrosive to metals.
Its first ionization potential (yielding the methenium ion, CH+
3) is 9.837±0.005 eV.
The carbon centre in methyl can bond with electron-donating molecules by reacting:
Because of the capture of the nucleophile (R·), methyl has oxidising character. Methyl is a strong oxidant with organic chemicals. However, it is equally a strong reductant with chemicals such as water. It does not form aqueous solutions, as it reduces water to produce methanol and elemental hydrogen:
The molecular geometry of the methyl radical is quasi-trigonal planar, although the energy cost of distortion to a pyramidal geometry is small. Substitution of hydrogen atoms by more electronegative substituents leads to radicals with a pyramidal geometry, such as the trifluoromethyl radical, CF3.
Methyl undergoes the typical chemical reactions of a radical. Below approximately 1,100 °C (2,010 °F), it rapidly dimerises to form ethane. Upon treatment with an alcohol, it converts to methane and either an alkoxy or hydroxyalkyl. Reduction of methyl gives methane. When heated above, at most, 1,400 °C (2,550 °F), methyl decomposes to produce methylidyne and elemental hydrogen, or to produce methylene and atomic hydrogen:
...
Wikipedia