amyl alcohol

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless liquid, C 5 H 12 O, consisting of a mixture of two or more isomeric alcohols, derived from the pentanes, and used as a solvent and intermediate for organic synthesis: the main component of fusel oil.

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amyl alcohol British  

noun

1. a colourless flammable liquid existing in eight isomeric forms that is used as a solvent and in the manufacture of organic compounds and pharmaceuticals. Formula: C 5 H 11 OH

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amyl alcohol Scientific  

/ ăm′əl,ā′məl /

1. Any of various colorless oils derived from pentane, one of which is the main constituent of fusel oil. Chemical formula: C ₅ H ₁₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of amyl alcohol

First recorded in 1860–65

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

amyl alcohol

In organic chemistry he published papers on the decomposition of ammonium oxalate, with formation of oxamic acid, on amyl alcohol, on the cyanides, and on the difference in constitution between nitric and sulphuric ether.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2 "Baconthorpe" to "Bankruptcy" by Various

The change effected in ozokerite and in petroleum residues when crystalline paraffine is obtained by distillation is to be regarded as a purification, and can be effected partially by treatment with amyl alcohol.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 711, August 17, 1889 by Various

Some twenty different constituents have been found in American peppermint oil, including menthol, menthone, menthyl acetate, cineol, amyl alcohol, pinene, l-limonene, phellandrene, dimethyl sulphide, menthyl isovalerianate, isovalerianic aldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, and isovalerianic acid.

From The Handbook of Soap Manufacture by W. H. Simmons

The chief constituent of the fusel oil procured in the manufacture of alcohol from potatoes and grain, usually known as fusel oil and potato-spirit, is isoprimary amyl alcohol, or isobutylcarbinol.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various

More accurate results are obtained by using a very dilute solution of potassium permanganate, which is decomposed by amyl alcohol much more rapidly than by ethyl alcohol.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 365, December 30, 1882 by Various

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