aldoxime: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHighly Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “aldoxime” mean?
An organic chemical compound formed from the reaction between an aldehyde and hydroxylamine, characterized by the functional group >C=N-OH.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An organic chemical compound formed from the reaction between an aldehyde and hydroxylamine, characterized by the functional group >C=N-OH.
A class of organic compounds important as intermediates in organic synthesis (e.g., the Beckmann rearrangement to produce amides or lactams) and sometimes used as ligands in coordination chemistry or in analytical chemistry for the detection and isolation of carbonyl compounds.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No differences in meaning or usage. Spelling follows the respective national conventions for general scientific English (e.g., 'synthesise' vs. 'synthesize' in surrounding text).
Connotations
None. The term is purely technical with identical connotations in all scientific communities.
Frequency
Equal, very low frequency in both academic and industrial chemistry contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “aldoxime” in a Sentence
The aldehyde reacted with hydroxylamine to form [an aldoxime].[The aldoxime] was converted into the amide via rearrangement.The structure of [the aldoxime] was confirmed by NMR.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aldoxime” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The aldoxime functional group was clearly visible in the IR spectrum.
- They studied the aldoxime formation kinetics.
American English
- The aldoxime intermediate was unstable under acidic conditions.
- Aldoxime chemistry is crucial for this synthesis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Exclusively used in chemistry research papers, textbooks, and lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used outside professional chemistry contexts.
Technical
Core term in organic chemistry synthesis, mechanistic studies, and sometimes in analytical or coordination chemistry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “aldoxime”
Strong
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aldoxime”
- Incorrectly using it as a mass noun (e.g., 'some aldoxime' instead of 'an aldoxime compound').
- Confusing it with its reaction product, the nitrile (via dehydration).
- Misspelling as 'aldoxine' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An aldoxime is derived from an aldehyde (R-CH=N-OH), while a ketoxime is derived from a ketone (R2C=N-OH). The carbon atom doubly bonded to nitrogen is bonded to one hydrogen and one R group in aldoximes, but to two R groups in ketoximes.
No. Aldoximes are specialist chemical compounds. You will only encounter the term in advanced chemistry education, research literature, or industrial chemical synthesis.
Yes. Due to restricted rotation around the C=N bond, aldoximes can exhibit syn and anti stereoisomers (or E/Z isomers), where the hydrogen and the R group are on the same or opposite sides of the C=N bond, respectively.
A key reaction is the Beckmann rearrangement, typically under acidic conditions, which converts the aldoxime into an amide (specifically, an N-substituted amide or a lactam).
An organic chemical compound formed from the reaction between an aldehyde and hydroxylamine, characterized by the functional group >C=N-OH.
Aldoxime is usually highly technical / scientific in register.
Aldoxime: in British English it is pronounced /ælˈdɒksiːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ælˈdɑːksiːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ALDehyde + OXIME = ALDOXIME. It's the oxime that comes specifically from an aldehyde.
Conceptual Metaphor
A 'molecular handshake' between an aldehyde (R-CH=O) and hydroxylamine (NH2OH), resulting in a linked structure (R-CH=N-OH).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary structural feature of an aldoxime?