Question

R-CH2is bonded to the amino group (NH2). What is R-CH2?

I understand that R is the side group. However, I am still baffled of this R-CH2. If -CH3 is a methyl group, what is an R-CH2 group?

Answer 1

try to draw the structure

Answer 2

I think this is a confusing and awkward way of asking this question.

You know that \( -CH_3\) is a methyl group so if you remove a hydrogen you will have \(-CH_2\) but this still has to be bonded to something else, so it might be more appropriate to write it as this: \(-CH_2-\) to indicate that there's something else bonded there.

Separately, to answer your question though (What is \(-CH_2\) ?) without a charge or electrons drawn on it, we can't say whether this is a carbanion, carbocation, or radical. Don't worry too much about this last thing if this is confusing you, it's not a big deal yet.