acetal

[ as-i-tal ]

nounChemistry.
  1. Also called diethylacetal. a colorless, volatile, sparingly water-soluble liquid, C6H14O2, having a nutlike aftertaste, obtained from acetaldehyde and ethyl alcohol: used chiefly as a solvent and in the manufacture of perfumes.

  2. any of a class of compounds of aldehydes with alcohols.

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Origin of acetal

1
First recorded in 1850–55; acet- + -al3

Words Nearby acetal

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British Dictionary definitions for acetal

acetal

/ (ˈæsɪˌtæl) /


noun
  1. 1,1-diethoxyethane; a colourless volatile liquid used as a solvent and in perfumes. Formula: CH 3 CH(OC 2 H 5) 2

  2. any organic compound containing the group -CH(OR 1)OR 2, where R 1 and R 2 are other organic groups

Origin of acetal

1
C19: from German Azetal, from aceto- + alcohol

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