 Acetyl group (source code)

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= Acetyl group
{title2=$\mathrm{CH_3C(=O){-}}$}

An <acetyl group> is the acyl unit $\mathrm{CH_3CO-}$. Its point of attachment lies at the carbonyl carbon, distinguishing it from an ethyl group or an acetate ion.

Transfer of an acetyl group changes a substrate's covalent structure. In biology, acetyl-CoA can supply such units, while acetylation of an amino group can alter charge and molecular recognition.

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