Substituent

Definition

A substituent is an atom or group of atoms that replaces a hydrogen atom on a parent hydrocarbon molecule in organic chemistry. This modification often changes the chemical properties and reactivity of the original molecule.

Related terms

Alkyl Group: An alkyl group is a type of substituent derived from an alkane by removing one hydrogen atom.

Functional Group: A functional group is a specific group of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules.

Haloalkane: Haloalkanes are alkanes in which one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by halogen atoms (such as chlorine, bromine), acting as substituents that modify the chemical behavior of the molecule