chlorohydrin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Highly Specialized)Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “chlorohydrin” mean?
A chemical compound containing a chlorine atom and a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to adjacent carbon atoms.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chemical compound containing a chlorine atom and a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to adjacent carbon atoms.
A versatile class of organic intermediates used in the production of epoxides, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; spelling and pronunciation follow standard national patterns.
Connotations
Purely technical with no cultural or stylistic variation between regions.
Frequency
Exclusively used in chemical and industrial contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “chlorohydrin” in a Sentence
The reaction yields [chlorohydrin][Substrate] is converted to [chlorohydrin] via hypochlorous acid[Chlorohydrin] undergoes dehydrohalogenation to form [epoxide]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chlorohydrin” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The chlorohydrin route to epoxides is well-established.
American English
- The chlorohydrin process requires careful temperature control.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in supply chain discussions for epoxy resin precursors or specialty chemical manufacturing.
Academic
Frequent in organic chemistry textbooks and journal articles describing nucleophilic addition or industrial synthesis routes.
Everyday
Virtually never used outside scientific or industrial workplaces.
Technical
Core term in organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, and industrial safety documentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chlorohydrin”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chlorohydrin”
- Misspelling as 'chlorhydrin' or 'chlorohidrin'
- Using 'chlorohydrin' as a countable noun without an article ('We added chlorohydrin' vs. 'We added a chlorohydrin')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, many chlorohydrins are toxic and pose health risks upon exposure, requiring proper handling.
A chlorohydrin contains Cl and OH groups on adjacent carbons; an epoxide is a three-membered cyclic ether formed from a chlorohydrin by elimination of HCl.
Some simple chlorohydrins can form naturally in trace amounts, but they are primarily synthetic industrial chemicals.
It is a major industrial method for producing ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, key monomers for plastics and antifreeze.
A chemical compound containing a chlorine atom and a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to adjacent carbon atoms.
Chlorohydrin is usually technical/scientific in register.
Chlorohydrin: in British English it is pronounced /ˌklɔːrəʊˈhaɪdrɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌklɔːroʊˈhaɪdrɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine CHLORO (chlorine) + HYDR (water-like hydroxyl) + IN (a compound) = a chlorine-and-alcohol hybrid molecule.
Conceptual Metaphor
A chemical 'building block' or 'stepping stone' in synthetic pathways.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary industrial use of chlorohydrins?