Home > A. Molecular pathology > acyl group

acyl group

Wednesday 30 July 2008

An acyl group (IUPAC name: alkanoyl) is a functional group derived by the removal of one or more hydroxyl group from an oxoacid.

In organic chemistry, the acyl group is usually derived from a carboxylic acid of the form R-COOH.

It therefore has the formula RC(=O)-, with a double bond between the carbon and oxygen atoms (i.e. a carbonyl group), and a single bond between R and the carbon.

Acyl groups can also be derived from other types of acids such as sulfonic acids, phosphonic acids, and some others.

Acyl halides can be used in Friedel-Crafts acylation to introduce the acyl moiety in an aromatic compound.

In biochemistry, acyl-CoAs are derivates of fatty acid metabolism, with acetyl-CoA as an example. They are actually thiol esters.