methylnaphthalene

[ meth-uhl-naf-thuh-leen, -nap- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a compound, C 1 1 H 1 0 , whose alpha isomer, a colorless liquid, is used in determining cetane numbers.

methylnaphthalene

/ ˌmiːθaɪlˈnæpθəˌliːn /

noun

1. either of two isomeric derivatives of naphthalene: a liquid (1-methylnaphthalene), used in standardizing diesel fuels, or a solid (2-methylnaphthalene), an insecticide

Word History and Origins

Origin of methylnaphthalene¹

First recorded in 1880–85; methyl- + naphthalene