aniline

American  

[an-l-in, -ahyn] / ˈæn l ɪn, -ˌaɪn /

Also anilin

noun

1. Also called aniline oil, phenylamine, aminobenzene. Chemistry. a colorless, oily, slightly water-soluble liquid, C 6 H 5 NH 2 , usually derived from nitrobenzene by reduction: used chiefly in the synthesis of dyes and drugs.

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adjective

1. pertaining to or derived from aniline.

   aniline colors.

aniline British  

/ ˈænɪlɪn, -ˌliːn /

noun

1. Also called: phenylamine. a colourless oily pungent poisonous liquid used in the manufacture of dyes, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and explosives. Formula: C 6 H 5 NH 2

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aniline Scientific  

/ ăn′ə-lĭn /

1. A colorless, oily, poisonous compound used in the manufacture of rubber, dyes, resins, pharmaceuticals, and varnishes. Aniline is an amine of benzene. Chemical formula: C ₆ H ₇ N.

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Etymology

Origin of aniline

First recorded in 1840–50; anil + -ine ²

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

aniline

Synthetic indigo, commonly used to dye bluejeans, can contain aniline, a manufacturing impurity that can slowly leach from clothing and penetrate skin, says Valenta.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

Conventional methods to produce o-bromobenzenethiols involve addition of bromine to aniline, then using diazonium intermediates for addition of sulfur.

From Science Daily ● May 23, 2024

Leon would dissolve carbon to create a chemical called aniline, which created incredible synthetic colors that natural pigments couldn’t compete with.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 16, 2023

Chemical experimentation produced synthetic aniline dyes yielding textile colors more intense and vibrant than those from plant dyes, transforming fashions.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022

The sky is a vibrant aniline blue, the trees a preternatural green.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

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