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 phenetol, C6H5OCH2CH3 which is also known as ethoxy benzene. 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 An alkoxide (RO–) is the ionic or salt form; it is a derivative of an alcohol where the proton has been replaced by a metal, typically sodium.
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