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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

amyl alcohol

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 Simmons, W. H.

It is not reduced by hydriodic acid and phosphorus, but sodium in the presence of amyl alcohol reduces it to tetrahydrodiphenyl C12H14.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 5 "Dinard" to "Dodsworth" by Various

Caffein aids the action of nitrates, acetanilid, ethyl alcohol and amyl alcohol, and increases the toxicity of barium chloride.

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

Recently, however, crystalline paraffine has been obtained from ozokerite by dissolving the latter in warm amyl alcohol; on cooling the greater part separates out in crystals having the luster of mother-of-pearl.

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