Alkylate

/ˈælkɪˌleɪt/ verb

Definition

To introduce an alkyl group into a molecule, a chemical reaction process used to modify compounds in pharmaceuticals, fuels, and industrial chemicals.

Etymology

Formed from 'alkyl' plus the chemical verb suffix '-ate', following systematic chemistry nomenclature for describing reactions. Became standard in 20th-century chemistry.

Kelly Says

Alkylation is one of the most important reactions in the chemical industry—adding alkyl groups can transform a useless chemical into a valuable drug or fuel! Oil refineries use alkylation reactions to boost gasoline quality.

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