Alkyl groups - IUPAC System of Naming Organic Compounds

These groups involves one hydrogen atom less as compared to the alkane. These groups are named by substituting the suffix ane of the name of the subsequent alkane by yl.  That is alkane - ane + yl = alkyl.

         For example,

         CH₄                    :           Methane    becomes

         CH^3-                   :           Methyl

         CH₃ CH₃             :           Ethane becomes         

         CH₃ CH^2-           :           Ethyl

         CH₃ CH₂ CH₃     :           Propane   becomes     

         CH₃ CH₂ CH₂     :           Propyl etc.