Alpha-carbon
In an organic compound, the alpha carbon is the carbon atom bound to the functional group. However, there may be more than one alpha carbon in a compund with one functional group. For example, in propanone the carbon atoms at either end of the molecule are both alpha carbons as the carbonyl functional group is in the centre of the two.[1]
- ↑ Utah Valley University (2009) Alpha Carbon [online] Available at: http://science.uvu.edu/ochem/index.php/alphabetical/a-b/alpha-carbon/ [accessed 25th November 2013]