Alkylation vs. Acylation — What's the Difference?

Alkylation is the transfer of an alkyl group from one molecule to another. The alkyl group may be transferred as an alkyl carbocation, a free radical, a carbanion or a carbene (or their equivalents).

In chemistry, acylation (or alkanoylation) is the process of adding an acyl group to a compound. The compound providing the acyl group is called the acylating agent.

To add one or more alkyl groups to (a compound).

(organic chemistry) The process of adding an acyl group to a compound.

(organic chemistry) Any reaction in which an alkyl group is added to a molecule; used in the production of high-octane petroleum fuels.

The process of introducing an acyl group into a compound