In chemistry, the terms acyl or acyl group refer to a functional group obtained from an acid by removal of a hydroxyl group. Chemistry (from Greek χημεία khemeia[1] meaning alchemy) is the science of matter at the atomic to molecular scale, dealing primarily with collections of atoms, such as molecules, crystals, and metals. ... In organic chemistry functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules, that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. ... For other uses, see Acid (disambiguation). ... // Hydroxyl group The term hydroxyl group is used to describe the functional group -OH when it is a substituent in an organic compound. ...

Most commonly, the acyl group is derived from a carboxylic acid of the form RCOOH. It therefore has the formula RC(=O)-, with a double bond between the carbon and oxygen atoms (thus forming a carbonyl group), and a single bond between R and the carbon. Structure of a carboxylic acid The 3D structure of the carboxyl group A space-filling model of the carboxyl group Carboxylic acids are organic acids characterized by the presence of a carboxyl group, which has the formula -(C=O)-OH, usually written as -COOH. In general, the salts and anions... General Name, Symbol, Number carbon, C, 6 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 14, 2, p Appearance black (graphite) colorless (diamond) Atomic mass 12. ... General Name, Symbol, Number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series Nonmetals, chalcogens Group, Period, Block 16, 2, p Appearance colorless (gas) very pale blue (liquid) Atomic mass 15. ... // Hydroxyl group The term hydroxyl group is used to describe the functional group -OH when it is a substituent in an organic compound. ... General Name, Symbol, Number carbon, C, 6 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 14, 2, p Appearance black (graphite) colorless (diamond) Atomic mass 12. ... General Name, Symbol, Number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series Nonmetals, chalcogens Group, Period, Block 16, 2, p Appearance colorless (gas) very pale blue (liquid) Atomic mass 15. ... A chemical bond is the physical phenomenon of chemical substances being held together by attraction of atoms to each other through sharing, as well as exchanging, of electrons or electrostatic forces. ... In chemistry, a carbonyl group is a functional group composed of an atom of carbon double-bonded to an atom of oxygen. ...

Also a derivate of Fatty Acid metabolism.

The names of acyl groups are typically derived from the corresponding acid and end in -yl, such as

• formyl (systematic name: methanoyl), derived from formic acid (systematic name: methanoic acid),
• acetyl (systematic name: ethanoyl), derived from acetic acid (systematic name: ethanoic acid),
• propionyl (systematic name: propanoyl), derived from propionic acid (systematic name: propanoic acid),
• benzoyl, derived from benzoic acid,
• acryl, derived from acrylic acid.

(Note that methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl etc. are not acyl but alkyl groups, derived from alkanes.) In organic chemistry, formyl is the radical or functional group with the formula -COH and structure - C = O | H The formyl group is the acyl of formic acid and the chief functional group of aldehydes. ... Formic acid (systematically called methanoic acid) is the simplest carboxylic acid. ... Acetyl is the radical of acetic acid. ... Acetic acid, also known as ethanoic acid, is an organic chemical compound best recognized for giving vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell. ... Propionic acid (systematically named propanoic acid) is a naturally occurring carboxylic acid with chemical formula CH3CH2COOH. In the pure state, it is a colorless, corrosive liquid with a pungent odor. ... Structure of benzoyl chloride. ... Benzoic acid, C6H5COOH, is a colourless crystalline solid and the simplest aromatic carboxylic acid. ... The acryl group is one of the functional groups sorted in the chemical class of acryl where one of four hydrogen atoms in ethene is replaced with a different functional group. ... Acrylic acid or prop-2-enoic acid is a chemical compound with the formula C3H4O2 and structure (which is sometimes abbreviated as CH2=CHCOOH). ... In chemistry a methyl-group is a hydrophobic Alkyl functional group which is derived from methane (CH4). ... Ethyl is a two-carbon substituent in organic chemistry. ... In organic chemistry, propyl is a three-carbon alkyl substituent with chemical formula -C3H7. ... In organic chemistry, butyl is a four-carbon alkyl substituent with chemical formula -C4H9. ... An alkyl is a univalent radical containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms arranged in a chain. ... An alkane is an acyclic saturated hydrocarbon. ...

Acyl groups can also be derived from other types of acids such as sulfonic acids, phosphonic acids, and some others. It has been suggested that Sulfonic acid/Temp be merged into this article or section. ... Tautomers of H3PO3: phosphonic acid (left) phosphorous acid (right) The general structure of an organic phosphonic acid In inorganic chemistry, phosphonic acid is a phosphorus oxoacid with a formula of H3PO3, more commonly known as phosphorous acid. ...

Acyl groups can be used in Friedel-Crafts acylation. The Friedel-Crafts reactions were developed by Charles Friedel and James Crafts in 1877. ...

In acyloxy groups the acyl group is bonded to oxygen: R-C=O-O-R' where R-C=O is the acyl group.

External links

• Definition of "Acyl group" from the IUPAC Gold Book (PDF file)