what is allylic carbon

An allylic carbon is a carbon atom that is adjacent to a vinylic carbon, which is a carbon atom doubly bonded to another carbon atom. The general formula for the allyl group is R-CH2-CH=CH2, where the asterisk carbon atom is the allylic carbon atom. Unlike the vinylic group, the allylic carbon atom is sp3 hybridized as it is bonded with CH=CH2 through a single covalent bond. The presence of the allylic group in various compounds results in allylic compounds that are used to manufacture various natural goods such as natural rubber, terpenes, and many others. Allylic carbon imparts unique chemical properties to the allylic group. For example, allylic carbocations are stable due to the delocalization of electrons on carbon atoms. Allylic C-H bonds are about 15% weaker than the C-H bonds in ordinary sp3 carbon centers and are thus more reactive.