acyl

[as-il, -eel]

adjective

Chemistry.

1. containing the acyl group.

acyl

/ ˈeɪsaɪl /

noun

1. (modifier) of, denoting, or containing the monovalent group of atoms RCO-, where R is an organic group

   acyl group or radical

   acyl substitution

2. an organometallic compound in which a metal atom is directly bound to an acyl group

acyl

1. An organic compound containing the group RCO, where R is a halogen. Acyls are formed from organic acids by replacing the hydroxyl group (OH) within the carboxyl group (COOH) with a halogen. For example, acetyl chloride (CH ₃ COCl) is formed by replacing the hydroxyl group of acetic acid (CH ₃ COOH) with a chlorine atom. The names of acyls are formed by replacing the suffix –ic of the acid's name with –yl.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acyl¹

1895–1900; < German: an organic radical derived from an acid; acid, -yl

Word History and Origins

Origin of acyl¹

C20: from _acid + _-yl

Example Sentences

The method involves combining three chemicals: an amine "head," two alkyl epoxide "tails" and, finally, two acyl chloride "branched tails."

From Science Daily

A particular ceramide’s character depends on the size of its acyl tail, a portion of the molecule that can contain from 12 to more than 26 carbons.

From Science Magazine

However, the catalytic turnover was poor because the hydrolysis of the acyl–enzyme intermediate was slow.

From Nature

“These trichomes produce acyl sugars and other compounds that repel or are toxic to a wide range of insects,” says Hanson.

From Nature

Fatty acids in the form of phosphoglycerides and triglycerides are the main components of cell membranes, vegetable oils and animal fats, and their hydrophobic acyl chains can be used to produce biofuels.

From Nature