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Glite Dictionary
⚗️ With two methyls 🧪 Two methyl group
dimethyl

dimethyl

1 7.7
A chemical group made of two methyl groups attached to a molecule
  • noun
  • /ˌdaɪˈmɛθɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : grupo dimetilo
  • The chemical formula for dimethyl ethylene is C4H8, indicating it contains two methyl groups.
  • dimethyl sulfoxide

Examples

  • Indeed, on Earth, dimethyl sulfide is only produced by some types of algae.

  • The main producer of dimethyl sulfide is photoplankton in the ocean.

  • The same wide diffusion is true of the dimethyl sulfide released from oceans worldwide.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The patient was suspected of having ingested a significant quantity of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

    Academic text (1998)

  • Scientists discovered that dimethyl sulfide plays a significant role in cloud formation in the atmosphere.

  • Researchers measured the levels of dimethyl compounds in the marine environment to better understand their contribution to climate change.

Compounds

dimethyl ketone
  • Specialized
5.6

A clear, very flammable liquid used to dissolve and clean things, for example in nail polish remover

dimethyl sulfoxide
  • Specialized
6.2

A clear liquid used to dissolve medicines and to preserve cells and tissues in labs

Surface Forms

dimethyl singular
dimethyls plural

Morphology

dimethyl = methyl (transparent) = di + methyl

In chemical terminology the noun denotes the substituent composed of two methyl groups, clearly derived from 'di-' + 'methyl'.

Etymology

Dimethyl comes from the parts di- meaning 'two' and methyl meaning 'a small chemical group', so a dimethyl is 'a chemical group made of two methyl parts'.