An alpha (symbol: α) carbon is a carbon atom bonded to a functional group in an organic compound; the carbon atom next to the α carbon is the beta (symbol: β) carbon, and so on (α, β, γ, δ…).

eg:

A compound containing only one functional group may have more than one α carbon.

eg:

If a compound contains more than one functional group, the terms α-carbon, β-carbon, etc. are meaningful only if the functional group is specified.

eg: