substituents

Substituents are groups of atoms that replace a hydrogen atom or other part of a molecule, attached to a core structure called a parent compound. Think of them as "branches" or "side groups" that modify the properties of the original molecule. In chemistry, the type and position of substituents influence how molecules behave, interact, and react. For example, in organic chemistry, substituents like methyl, hydroxyl, or halogens attach to carbon chains, changing the molecule's characteristics. They help chemists understand, predict, and manipulate the behavior of complex molecules in reactions and applications.