acetaldehyde

American  

[as-i-tal-duh-hahyd] / ˌæs ɪˈtæl dəˌhaɪd /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a volatile, colorless, water-soluble liquid, C 2 H 4 O, having a pungent, fruitlike odor: used chiefly in the silvering of mirrors and in organic synthesis.

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acetaldehyde British  

/ ˌæsɪˈtældɪˌhaɪd /

noun

1. Systematic name: ethanal.  a colourless volatile pungent liquid, miscible with water, used in the manufacture of organic compounds and as a solvent and reducing agent. Formula: CH 3 CHO

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acetaldehyde Scientific  

/ ăs′ĭ-tăl′də-hīd′ /

1. A colorless, flammable liquid, used to manufacture acetic acid, perfumes, and drugs. Chemical formula: C ₂ H ₄ O.

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Etymology

Origin of acetaldehyde

First recorded in 1875–80; acet- + aldehyde

Example Sentences

Reducing the amount of acetaldehyde, the hypothesis goes, should also reduce the physical symptoms caused by its buildup.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 30, 2024

"The people who have the minor allele variant of the SNP convert ethanol to acetaldehyde very rapidly. And that causes a lot of negative effects," said Sanchez-Roige.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2024

High levels of acetaldehyde, in turn, causes headaches, nausea, facial flushing and sweating.

From Salon • Nov. 21, 2023

It can cause cancer because it breaks down in the body to form a compound called acetaldehyde, which damages DNA.

From Scientific American • Sep. 21, 2023

Traces of ethyl alcohol in solutions are detected and estimated by oxidation to acetaldehyde, or by conversion into iodoform by warming with iodine and potassium hydroxide.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg