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formyl

formyl

9.6
A small chemical part with one carbon, one oxygen, and one hydrogen that attaches to a molecule
  • noun
  • /ˈfɔrmɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : formilo
  • The formyl group is essential in the structure of many aldehydes.

Examples

  • During synthesis, we introduced a formyl substituent to the benzene ring.

  • The formyl group is a key feature in the molecular structure of formaldehyde.

  • Removal of the formyl radical alters the chemical properties of the molecule.

  • The formyl group is essential in organic chemistry.

  • A formyl radical can react with various nucleophiles.

  • Introducing a formyl substituent can significantly enhance the reactivity of the compound.

  • In many organic reactions, the formyl group plays a crucial role in the synthesis of complex molecules.

Surface Forms

formyl singular
formyls plural

Morphology

formyl = formic (semi-transparent) = form + yl

Formyl is formed by the chemical suffix '-yl' attached to the stem related to 'formic'; the morphological process is regular in chemical nomenclature but requires specialised chemistry knowledge.

Etymology

The word formyl comes from formic, which comes from the Latin formica meaning 'ant', because formic acid was first found in ants. The ending -yl names a small chemical part, so formyl is the small group 'from formic acid' that appears in molecules called aldehydes.