What does a chemical formula R stand for?

Answer 1

An organic alkyl radical such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl etc. 'R' is used when the reaction in which the substance is used is a generic reaction that would be the same whatever the radical.

Answer 2

When written out as a structure or chemical formula "side groups" are often written out as "R". This indicates that the structure that has been drawn is a sort of back-bone structure that can have many different side groups (such as a methyl group, an alcohol etc....).

Answer 3

It is generally used as a shorthand notation for a substituent added to the main compound. For example, the general formula for a carboxylic acid could be written as R-COOH where R = CH3, CH3CH2, CH3CH2CH2, etc. or R = CnH2n+1.

Answer 4

R represents an Alkyl group such as Methyl(CH3) and Ethyl(C2H5)

Answer 5

If you are talking about the Ideal Gas Law (PV=nRT) then the R equals 0.0821 (atm L/ mols K) or 8.314 (kPa L/mols K).

Answer 6

This is the universal constant of gases.