Enol

/ˈɛnɔl/ noun

Definition

In chemistry, an organic compound that contains a carbon-carbon double bond adjacent to a hydroxyl (OH) group.

Etymology

From German 'Enol', a contraction combining 'en-' (ethene, the double bond) + '-ol' (alcohol/hydroxyl group), coined by German chemists in the late 19th century.

Kelly Says

Enols are chemical shape-shifters—they constantly flip between two forms (enol and keto), and this rapid switching is why they're so useful in making new molecules; chemists basically use enols as molecular scissors.

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