alkyl vs. aryl compounds

[304570085]

What's the difference between alkyl and aryl compounds?

[Kristienne Edrosolan]

"Alkyl" and "Aryl" refer to the shape of the compound or the shape of the molecule connected in the compound. An alkyl means the compound contains a hydrocarbon chain whereas an aryl means the molecule is connected to a hydrocarbon ring.

For example, on page 146 of the orange textbook, the book uses lithium benzenide as an example of an aryl lithium. As shown in the picture, lithium benzenide is composed of a hydrocarbon ring attached to a lithium ion. Similarly, the example of a Grignard reactant magnesium bromide benzenide on the same page in the textbook next to it is an aryl Grignard reactant because again, MgBR is attached to a hydrocarbon ring.