alcoholate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHighly Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “alcoholate” mean?
A chemical compound formed by the reaction of an alcohol with a metal, typically an alkali metal, where the hydrogen of the alcohol's hydroxyl group (-OH) is replaced by the metal.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chemical compound formed by the reaction of an alcohol with a metal, typically an alkali metal, where the hydrogen of the alcohol's hydroxyl group (-OH) is replaced by the metal.
In a broader historical context, an obsolete term for an alcoholic solution or tincture of a non-volatile substance, or a verb (rare) meaning to convert into or treat with alcohol.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences. Both use it as a technical chemical term. The verb form ('to alcoholate') is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely technical and neutral. No regional connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse in both regions, confined to chemistry textbooks, research papers, and industrial contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “alcoholate” in a Sentence
[Metal] + [Alcohol] → [Metal] alcoholateThe [compound] reacts to form an alcoholate.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alcoholate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The chemist sought to alcoholate the crude extract to preserve its active principles. (archaic)
American English
- Older procedures might alcoholate the substance to create a tincture. (archaic)
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- The alcoholate solution was handled under nitrogen. (functionally a noun used attributively)
American English
- An alcoholate formation test confirmed the reaction. (functionally a noun used attributively)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used. Potentially in pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing specifications.
Academic
Used in chemistry and chemical engineering lectures, textbooks, and research papers discussing organic synthesis or organometallic chemistry.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Primary context. Used in lab reports, chemical patents, safety data sheets (SDS), and process descriptions in the chemical industry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alcoholate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alcoholate”
- Using 'alcoholate' to mean an alcoholic beverage or solution (obsolete meaning).
- Confusing it with 'alcohol' or 'aldehyde'.
- Misspelling as 'alcholote' or 'alcolate'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An alcoholate is a derivative of an alcohol, where the hydrogen of the -OH group is replaced by a metal. It has different chemical properties.
Almost exclusively in technical chemistry contexts: advanced textbooks, research articles on organic synthesis, and chemical industry documentation.
Historically, yes, meaning 'to treat or mix with alcohol'. However, this usage is now obsolete and extremely rare. The modern term is almost exclusively a noun.
They are synonyms. 'Alkoxide' is the preferred and more systematic term in modern chemical nomenclature, while 'alcoholate' is still understood and used, especially in naming specific compounds (e.g., sodium ethanolate).
A chemical compound formed by the reaction of an alcohol with a metal, typically an alkali metal, where the hydrogen of the alcohol's hydroxyl group (-OH) is replaced by the metal.
Alcoholate is usually highly technical/scientific in register.
Alcoholate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈalkəhɒleɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈælkəhɔːleɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ALCOHOL + -ATE (as in 'chemical salt', like 'sulfate'). An alcoholate is the 'salt' made when an alcohol loses its H+ to a metal.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SALT OF AN ALCOHOL (Analogy: Just as table salt (NaCl) is sodium + chlorine, sodium alcoholate is sodium + an alcohol radical).
Practice
Quiz
In modern chemical terminology, 'alcoholate' is most synonymous with which term?