Benzalcohol

/bɛnzəlˈælkəhɔl/ noun

Definition

A chemical compound with both benzaldehyde and alcohol functional groups; specifically, the product of reducing benzaldehyde.

Etymology

From 'benzal-' (benzaldehyde) + 'alcohol' (from Arabic 'al-kuhl,' fine powder). In chemistry, this refers to the structure resulting from adding hydrogen to benzaldehyde.

Kelly Says

Benzyl alcohol, the actual chemical name, smells faintly aromatic and is used in thousands of products from medicines to perfumes—a quiet chemical that touches almost everyone's life daily.

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