Methoxy

The methoxy group is one of the simplest arrangements of atoms in the organic chemistry, which adds a methyl group to a hetero atom (oxygen).

The formula of the substituent is -OCH3, sometimes also written as -OMe.

The methoxy group is not an independent chemical substance, but always part of a larger molecule ( see figure). The smallest molecule of this group is methanol, which is however, regarded as alcohol having a hydroxyl group.

Properties

Is a hydrogen atom in an alkane substituted by a methoxy group, the polarity and reactivity increases. So ethers are cleaved with aqueous acids and higher temperatures in alcohols.

A methoxy group has as first deputy a moderately activating and ortho (next ) or para (opposite) directing effects in electrophilic aromatic substitution.