Alkylation

Alkylation is a chemical process where scientists add a hydrocarbon group, called an alkyl group, to a molecule, essentially attaching a chain or fragment of carbon and hydrogen atoms to an existing compound. This process is incredibly useful in everything from producing gasoline and other fuels to creating pharmaceuticals and plastics, making it one of the most important reactions in industrial chemistry. Think of it like adding a specific piece to a LEGO structure—once attached, it changes the properties and behavior of the final product.