Vinyl group

Chemical structure of the vinyl group.

Chess board made with PVCtr

In chemistry, vinyl or ethenyl is the functional group −CH=CH₂, that is, the radical corresponding to the molecule of ethylene (H₂C=CH₂). This denomination is also frequently used to designate any compound containing said group, that is, R−CH=CH₂, where R is any other substituent, such as a hydrocarbon or a halogen.

An industrially important example of a vinyl group-bearing compound is vinyl chloride, the precursor to PVC, a plastic commonly, by extension, also called vinyl. Vinyl is one of the alkenyl type functional groups. In aliphatic compounds, carbons with sp² hybridization or substitution positions on these carbons are often also referred to as "vinyls". Allyls, acrylates, and styrenes contain vinyl groups.

Etymology

The term «vinyl» derives from the Latin vinum, 'wine,' due to its relationship with alcohol (in its original meaning of ethyl alcohol). The term "vinyl" was coined by the German chemist Hermann Kolbe in 1851.