methylnaphthalene

9.9

A clear chemical used in industry made from naphthalene by adding one methyl group

noun
/ˌmɛθəlˈnæfθeɪlɪn/

Specialized

: metilnaftaleno

Some petroleum products contain small amounts of methylnaphthalene as impurities.

Examples

The laboratory analyzed the air for traces of methylnaphthalene after the chemical spill.
Many industries utilize methylnaphthalene for its chemical properties.
Researchers detected methylnaphthalene in the soil samples near the industrial site.
The laboratory analyzed the methylnaphthalene sample for purity.
Researchers detected methylnaphthalene in the soil samples near the industrial site.
Some petroleum products contain small amounts of methylnaphthalene as impurities.
The laboratory analyzed the air for traces of methylnaphthalene after the chemical spill.

Surface Forms

methylnaphthalene singular

methylnaphthalenes plural

Morphology

methylnaphthalene = methyl + naphthalene (transparent) = methyl + naphthalene

The form is a straightforward combination of 'methyl' + 'naphthalene' indicating a naphthalene molecule bearing a methyl group; morphologically transparent though chemically technical.

Etymology

Methylnaphthalene comes from the parts methyl, meaning a small 'group' of carbon and hydrogen, and naphthalene, the substance with two joined rings that you find in 'mothballs'. So, methylnaphthalene is simply naphthalene with one methyl added, which explains why it is a similar chemical used in industry.