methylene

American  

[meth-uh-leen] / ˈmɛθ əˌlin /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. containing the methylene group.

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methylene British  

/ ˈmɛθɪˌliːn /

noun

1. (modifier) of, consisting of, or containing the divalent group of atoms =CH 2

   a methylene group or radical

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methylene Scientific  

/ mĕth′ə-lēn′ /

1. A bivalent hydrocarbon radical, CH ₂. Because it has two unshared electrons, it is extremely reactive and occurs only as an intermediate byproduct in chemical reactions. Methylene is a component of unsaturated hydrocarbons.

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Etymology

Origin of methylene

< French méthylène (coined in 1834), equivalent to Greek méth ( y ) wine ( see mead ¹) + hýl ( ē ) wood + French -ène -ene, taken to mean “wood-spirits” ( vin ou liqueur spiritueuse du bois ), though elements of the compound are in the wrong order to give this sense

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

methylene

Increased supply of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate from new plants of other companies is also near-term concern.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

Plus, most people brew their coffee at between 190 F to 212 F, which is another opportunity for methylene chloride to evaporate.

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2024

The caffeine dissolves better in methylene chloride than in water, so most of the caffeine stays up in the methylene chloride layer, which producers can separate from the water.

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2024

The chemical industry has argued that the EPA is overstating the risks of methylene chloride and that adequate protections have mitigated health risks.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 30, 2024

Jenner's stain consists of a solution in methyl alcohol of the precipitate formed by adding eosine to methylene blue.

From Histology of the Blood Normal and Pathological by W. Myers