what is alpha hydrogen or beta hydrogen what is the concept behind this

 Carbon next to functional group is known as α-C and next to that ᵦ, thanϒ thanδ. Hydrogen on α-C is known as α-H and on ᵦ-C is known as ᵦ-H.

For eg. ᵦ CH3-αCH2-CHO

Another example

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alpha hydrogen is the hydrogen wic is attached to the neighbouring carbon atom of the functional group..e.g.

 

H3C-CH2-OH   Here H of CHis the alpha hydrogen attached to alpha carbon...
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The terms alpha and beta hydrogen are generally used in long chain compounds with a functional group

For example take CH3CH2CH2CH2COOH.  (pentanoic acid)

  We number the carbon atoms from the right. The carbon with the functional group (i.e. COOH) is the first carbon atom the one left to it is the second one and so on.....  (In this example there are five carbon atoms)..

  Now,  the second carbon atom(from the right) is the alpha carbon atom and the hydrogen atoms attached to it are the alpha hydrogen atoms.  Similarly the third carbon atom (from the right) is the beta carbon atom and the hydrogen atoms attached to this carbon atom are the beta hydrogen atoms.

 Going on thus we get the gamma, delta,.... hydrogen atoms.

 

  Hope you got it..... :-D

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