Alkoxy group

Alkoxy groups

Aryloxy groups

In chemistry, the alkoxy group is an alkyl (carbon and hydrogen chain) group singular bonded to oxygen thus: R—O. The range of alkoxy groups is great, the simplest being methoxy (CH₃O—). An ethoxy group (CH₃CH₂O—) is found in the organic compound ethyl phenyl ether, C₆H₅OCH₂CH₃ which is also known as ethoxybenzene. Related to alkoxy groups are aryloxy groups, which have an aryl group singular bonded to oxygen such as the phenoxy group (C₆H₅O—).

An alkoxy or aryloxy group bonded to an alkyl or aryl (R¹—O—R²) is an ether. If bonded to H it is an alcohol. An alkoxide (RO^–) is the ionic or salt form; it is a derivative of an alcohol where the proton has been replaced by a metal, typically sodium.