levulinic acid

American

[lev-yuh-lin-ik, lev-] / ˈlɛv yəˈlɪn ɪk, ˌlɛv- /

noun

Chemistry.

a white or colorless, water-soluble solid, C 5 H 8 O 3 , produced by the hydrolysis of cane sugar, starch, or cellulose; used chiefly in the organic synthesis of nylon, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.

Etymology

Origin of levulinic acid

levul(ose) + -in ² + -ic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mixing a catalyst made of ruthenium and carbon into the levulinic acid transforms it into GVL, which contains 97% of the energy from the original biomass.

From Nature • Jun. 22, 2011

This step produces equal amounts of formic acid and levulinic acid.

From Nature • Jun. 22, 2011

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023