allyl alcohol: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “allyl alcohol” mean?
A colorless liquid organic compound with a pungent mustard-like odor, having the chemical formula C₃H₅OH.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A colorless liquid organic compound with a pungent mustard-like odor, having the chemical formula C₃H₅OH.
The simplest unsaturated primary alcohol, widely used as a chemical intermediate in the production of resins, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and flavorings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; potential minor pronunciation variation (see IPA).
Connotations
Exclusively denotes the specific chemical compound with no alternative or figurative meanings in either variety.
Frequency
Virtually zero frequency in general discourse; exclusive to chemistry, chemical engineering, and related industrial contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “allyl alcohol” in a Sentence
Allyl alcohol is used in + [noun phrase: the production of...]Allyl alcohol reacts with + [noun phrase: ...]The synthesis of allyl alcohol involves + [noun phrase/-ing form...]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “allyl alcohol” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The allyl alcohol fraction was collected.
- An allyl alcohol-based resin.
American English
- The allyl alcohol stream was purified.
- An allyl alcohol derivative.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports of the chemical industry, supply chain logistics for precursor materials.
Academic
Central in organic chemistry textbooks, research papers on polymer synthesis and organic reactions.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
The primary context: chemical manufacturing, material safety data sheets (MSDS), process descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “allyl alcohol”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “allyl alcohol”
- Misspelling as 'ally alcohol' (missing one 'l').
- Incorrect pronunciation placing primary stress on the second syllable of 'allyl' (e.g., /əˈlaɪl/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely not. Allyl alcohol is highly toxic and corrosive, unlike beverage ethanol.
It refers to the allyl group (CH₂=CH-CH₂-), an unsaturated three-carbon unit derived from propene.
Only in specialized industrial or laboratory settings, such as chemical manufacturing plants or organic chemistry labs.
It is a crucial chemical building block (intermediate) for producing plastics, resins, pharmaceuticals, and synthetic flavors.
A colorless liquid organic compound with a pungent mustard-like odor, having the chemical formula C₃H₅OH.
Allyl alcohol is usually technical/scientific in register.
Allyl alcohol: in British English it is pronounced /ˈalʌɪl ˈalkəhɒl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæləl ˈælkəhɔːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"ALLYL" sounds like "a lil'" – imagine a molecule that's like a little (lil') chain with an ALcohol group on the end.
Conceptual Metaphor
None applicable; it is a purely technical referent.
Practice
Quiz
Allyl alcohol is primarily classified as: