Methyl group | chemistry (original) (raw)
_verified_Cite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Feedback Type
Your Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
_verified_Cite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
methyl group, one of the commonest structural units of organic compounds, consisting of three hydrogen atoms bonded to a carbon atom, which is linked to the remainder of the molecule. The methyl radical (CH3), the methyl cation (CH+3), and the methyl anion (CH-3)34 are transient intermediates in many chemical reactions.