For a finite group G and U := U(ZG), the group of units of the integral group ring of G, we study the implications of the structure of G on the abelianization U/U ′ of U . We pose questions on the connections between the exponent of G/G ′ and the exponent of U/U ′ as well as between the ranks of the torsion-free parts of Z(U ), the center of U , and U/U ′ . We show that the units originating from known generic constructions of units in ZG are well-behaved under the projection from U to U/U ′ and that our questions have a positive answer for many examples. We then exhibit an explicit example which shows that the general statement on the torsion-free part does not hold, which also answers questions from [BJJ + 18].The following variations of (2) appear natural for V : (R1) Is rank V /V ′ = rank Z(V )? (R2) Assume Z(V ) is finite. Is V /V ′ also finite?The above questions address the free subgroup of V /V ′ , while the ones listed next try to get hold of its torsion elements. Denote by exp H, the exponent of a group H, i.e., the greatest common divisor of the orders of torsion elements of H.