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Glite Dictionary
benzofuran

benzofuran

1 9.9
Colorless oily chemical from coal tar used to make synthetic resins
  • noun
  • /ˌbɛnzoʊˈfjʊərən/
  • Specialized
: benzofurano
  • Some synthetic resins are produced using benzofuran as a raw material.

Examples

  • Because benzofuran has industrial importance, safety precautions must be followed during handling.

  • The laboratory ordered a new shipment of benzofuran for their polymer experiments.

  • The chemist analyzed the benzofuran sample for purity.

  • Many benzofurans are used in the production of plastics.

  • The compound benzofuran is often utilized in the manufacture of synthetic resins.

  • In chemical laboratories, benzofuran is frequently employed to create new materials.

  • Scientists are studying the properties of benzofuran to improve chemical synthesis processes.

Surface Forms

benzofuran singular
benzofurans plural

Morphology

benzofuran = furan (opaque) = benzo + furan + benzo

The combining form 'benzo-' is a technical chemical element (not a standalone common word) and the compound name denotes a specialized molecule, so its meaning is not derivable by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word benzofuran comes from two parts: benzene and furan, where furan is a small ring-shaped chemical that has an oxygen atom. So benzofuran is literally a chemical made of a benzene part joined to a furan part, which is why it is an oily substance used to make synthetic resins and other materials.