Alkylation

n. (Chemistry) process of replacing a hydrogen atom from an organic compound with an alkyl group; act of adding a paraffin to an olefin (done in gasoline manufacture)

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). Alkylating agents are widely used in chemistry because the alkyl group is probably the most common group encountered in organic molecules. Many biological target molecules or their synthetic precursors comprise of an alkyl chain, with specific functional groups in a specific order. Selective alkylation, or adding parts to the chain with the desired functional groups, is used, especially if there is no commonly available biological precursor.
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Alkylation /al·kyl·a·tion/ the substitution of an alkyl group for an active hydrogen atom in an organic compound. al·kyl·a·tion n. [more]Alkylation - Community and Resources

n. alkylation (Chemistry), process of replacing a hydrogen atom from an organic compound with an alkyl group; act of adding a paraffin to an olefin (done in gasoline manufacture)