acrolein

American  

[uh-kroh-lee-in] / əˈkroʊ li ɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a yellow, flammable liquid, C 3 H 4 O, having a stifling odor, usually obtained by the decomposition of glycerol: used chiefly in the synthesis of commercial and pharmaceutical products.

---

acrolein British  

/ əˈkrəʊlɪɪn /

noun

1. a colourless or yellowish flammable poisonous pungent liquid used in the manufacture of resins and pharmaceuticals. Formula: CH 2 :CHCHO

---

Etymology

Origin of acrolein

1855–60; < Latin ācr- (stem of ācer ) sharp + olē ( re ) to smell + -in ²

Example Sentences

Short-term exposure to acrolein by inhalation can cause nose and throat irritation and a decreased breathing rate.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

Two toxic air contaminants present in California’s ambient air, acrolein and ethylene oxide, appear to be much stronger carcinogens than previously known, California environmental health officials announced Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

This was followed by a ‘controlled burn’ of the materials, to avoid an explosion, which generated an enormous black cloud over the site and probably created acrolein and other combustion by-products.

From Scientific American • Mar. 24, 2023

But acrolein levels were high enough in some places to raise long-term health concerns, said Albert Presto, a Carnegie Mellon mechanical engineering research professor.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 11, 2023

Some of the more volatile fatty acids are driven off, and the fats break down to give a larger percentage of free fatty acids, some light esters, acrolein, and formic acid.

From All About Coffee by Ukers, William H. (William Harrison)