dehydrogenate
Very Low (C2+)Highly Technical/Scientific
Definition
Meaning
To remove hydrogen from (a chemical compound).
In a broader scientific context, it can refer to any process where hydrogen is stripped from a molecule, often as part of an oxidation reaction or metabolic pathway.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost exclusively used in chemistry and biochemistry. The related noun is 'dehydrogenation' and the enzyme that catalyzes the reaction is a 'dehydrogenase'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling follows respective conventions (e.g., 'catalyse' vs. 'catalyze' in surrounding text).
Connotations
Purely technical with no regional connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare in both dialects, confined to specialized literature.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SUBJ: Catalyst/Process] dehydrogenates [OBJ: Compound][OBJ: Compound] is dehydrogenated (by [AGENT])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in advanced chemistry and biochemistry papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Core term in chemical engineering, organic chemistry, and metabolic biochemistry descriptions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The catalyst will dehydrogenate the alkane to form an alkene.
- This microorganism can dehydrogenate the substrate under anaerobic conditions.
American English
- The new process dehydrogenates propane more efficiently.
- Liver enzymes dehydrogenate ethanol as part of its metabolism.
adverb
British English
- The reaction proceeded dehydrogenatively.
American English
- The compound was dehydrogenatively converted.
adjective
British English
- The dehydrogenated product was collected for analysis.
- They studied the dehydrogenated form of the molecule.
American English
- The dehydrogenated compound showed increased reactivity.
- Analysis confirmed the dehydrogenated sample.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Scientists can dehydrogenate certain organic compounds to create new materials.
- The platinum catalyst serves to dehydrogenate the cyclic hydrocarbons, initiating a cascade of reactions essential for fuel refinement.
- In biochemistry, specific enzymes dehydrogenate metabolites, transferring the removed hydrogens to cofactors like NAD+.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'DE-' (remove) + 'HYDROGEN' (the element) + '-ATE' (verb ending). It's the opposite of 'hydrogenate' (like turning oil into margarine).
Conceptual Metaphor
CLEANSING/PURIFYING: Removing an element (hydrogen) to create a different, often more reactive, substance.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'дегидрировать' (which is correct). Avoid calquing as 'дегидрогенировать' which is less standard. The English word is based on 'hydrogen', not Russian 'водород'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'dehydrinate' (confusion with dehydration/water).
- Incorrect stress: stressing 'gen' instead of 'drog'.
- Using it in non-chemical contexts.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'dehydrogenate'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, highly technical term used almost exclusively in chemistry and biochemistry.
The direct opposite is 'hydrogenate', which means to add hydrogen to a compound.
Yes, the production of styrene (for plastics) from ethylbenzene involves catalytic dehydrogenation. Also, the conversion of alcohols to aldehydes or ketones in organic chemistry is a dehydrogenation.
Yes, the noun is 'dehydrogenation'. The agent (often an enzyme) that does this is called a 'dehydrogenase'.