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Glite Dictionary
alkylbenzene

alkylbenzene

9.5
A molecule with one or more small carbon chains attached to a ring of six carbon atoms
  • noun
  • /ˌæl.kɪlˈbɛn.ziːn/
  • Specialized
: alquilbenceno
  • Many synthetic processes involve attaching an alkyl group to a benzene ring to form an alkylbenzene.

Examples

  • The detergent industry often uses alkylbenzene as a starting material for surfactants.

  • Linear alkylbenzenes are considered more biodegradable than their branched counterparts.

  • The alkylbenzene is essential in many reactions.

  • Many alkylbenzenes are used in the production of detergents.

  • Many synthetic processes involve attaching an alkyl group to a benzene ring to form an alkylbenzene.

  • The detergent industry often uses alkylbenzene as a starting material for surfactants.

  • Many alkylbenzenes are used in the production of detergents.

Surface Forms

alkylbenzene singular
alkylbenzenes plural

Morphology

alkylbenzene = alkyl + benzene (transparent) = alkyl + benzene

The term is a straightforward chemical compound name: an alkyl-substituted benzene; knowing the components yields the meaning.

Etymology

The word alkylbenzene mixes two parts: alkyl and benzene. The alkyl part comes from alcohol plus the ending -yl and means a small 'group' related to an alcohol, while benzene comes from benzoin, a plant 'resin', and names a common 'ring' molecule; so alkylbenzene is simply an alkyl 'group' attached to a benzene 'ring', which explains the modern meaning.