The C2H5 group is commonly known as the ethyl group. This alkyl group is derived from ethane by removing one hydrogen atom, resulting in the chemical structure C2H5.
To clarify, the names methyl, propyl, and butyl refer to different alkyl groups:
- Methyl (C1H3)
- Propyl (C3H7) – derived from propane by removing one hydrogen atom.
- Butyl (C4H9) – derived from butane by removing one hydrogen atom.
– the simplest alkyl group, derived from methane.
Thus, none of these names pertain to the C2H5 group. Instead, it is specifically named as the ethyl group, which is a significant component in organic chemistry and is often found in various compounds, including alcohol and ethers.