Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals primarily with the substances that make up carbon compounds. To better understand these molecules and compounds, they are classified into different functional groups based on the atoms and the bonds between them. These functional groups are responsible for its different characteristics. Allyl and vinyl are the two different functional organic groups that have distinguishable characteristics and characteristics. At the same time, these two functional groups also share some similarities, as they both have a double bond between the carbon atoms, while the other atoms are linked by a single bond. The general molecular formula for allyl is RCH ₂ CH = CH ₂, while the general molecular formula for vinyl is RCH = CH ₂ . Looking at the structural difference of these functional groups, we can easily differentiate between them, as the Allyl group contains three carbon atoms and five hydrogen atoms, on the other hand, the Vinyl group has two carbon atoms and three hydrogen atoms. -R in this case is any other group of atoms.

Comparative chart

What is Allyl?

It is one of the functional groups in organic chemistry, which has the general molecular formula RCH ₂ CH = CH _2. The allyl group contains three carbon atoms and five hydrogen atoms, which is attached to any other group of atoms through the group –CH ₂ . The allyl group consists of a methylene bridge (-CH ₂ -) and is linked with a vinyl group (-CH = CH ₂). Theodor Wertheim first found a derivative of Allyl within garlic oil in 1844, he called it ‘Schwefelallyl’. It would remain mentioned that ‘Allyl’ is the Latin word used for garlic (Allium Sativum). Allyls form a stable carbocation due to electron delocalization, while vinyl carbocations are unstable since they lack the p character. Allyl has two sp ² hybridized carbon atoms and one sp ³ hybridized carbon atom . In simple words, we can call an allyl group a fusion of a methylene bridge and a vinyl group since the methylene bridge (-CH ₂ -) joins the vinyl group (-CH = CH ₂) and the rest of the molecule to form an allyl group. Allyl compounds are diverse and are used in many industries, for example: allyl chloride is converted to epichlorohydrin and is used for the formation of different plastics.

What is vinyl?

It is one of the functional groups in organic chemistry, which has the general molecular formula RCH = CH _2. It has two carbon atoms and three hydrogen atoms, which are directly attached to R-, which is any other group of atoms in this case . . The vinyl group is also known as ethenyl (-CH = CH ₂ ) and with the removal of one of the hydrogen atoms in the ethylene molecule (CH ₂ = CH ₂ ), it can be formed. Vinyl compounds are reactive and polymerize to form vinyl polymers such as polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, and polyvinyl fluoride. The vinyl contains two sp ²hybridized carbon atoms and three hydrogen atoms. Vinyl carbocations are unstable compared to allylic carbocations, since they lack the p character. Vinyl is widely used in different industries, mainly in plastic film manufacturing, textile finishing, and also produces vinyl polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc).

Allyl vs. Vinyl

• The general molecular formula for allyl is RCH ₂ CH = CH ₂ , while the general molecular formula for vinyl is RCH = CH ₂ .
• The allyl group has three carbon atoms and five hydrogen atoms, on the other hand, the vinyl group has two carbon atoms and three hydrogen atoms.
• Allyls form a stable carbocation due to electron delocalization, while vinyl carbocations are unstable since they lack the p character.
• The allyl group binds to any other group of atoms through the -CH ₂ group , while the vinyl group binds directly to any other group of atoms.