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

Ethyl acetate and methylene chloride are two common solvents used to extract caffeine from green coffee beans.

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2024

While the EPA banned one consumer use of methylene chloride in 2019, use of the chemical has remained widespread and continues to pose significant and sometimes fatal danger to workers, the agency said.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 30, 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

Shortly thereafter, California Assemblymember Eloise Reyes proposed new legislation that would expressly prohibit a “person or entity from using methylene chloride in the process of decaffeinating coffee” starting in 2027.

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2024

The larger body on the right b is a white blood corpuscle, also stained with methylene blue.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry