In organic chemistry, ‘Me’ is the common abbreviation for a methyl group, which is a hydrocarbon group with the chemical formula C1H3. It consists of one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms. Methyl groups are often denoted in chemical structures to simplify the representation of organic compounds.
The presence of a methyl group can significantly affect the properties and reactivity of molecules. For example, when attached to a larger structure, methyl groups can influence the overall stability, solubility, and boiling points of the compounds. Identifying ‘Me’ helps chemists quickly recognize parts of a molecular structure that revert to specific chemical behaviors.