Definition

A colorless liquid that is a type of organic compound, used mainly in chemical processes and as a solvent.

Example

Acetonitrile is commonly used as a solvent in chemical reactions.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of acetonitrile?

Yeah, I think it’s used a lot in chemistry labs, right?

Exactly! It’s a colorless liquid that serves as a solvent.

I’ve seen it mentioned in some organic synthesis recipes.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Acetonitrile is formed from "acetone" (from Latin *acetum*, meaning vinegar) and "nitrile" (from "nitrile" which refers to a compound containing the cyano group, derived from "nitro-" meaning relating to nitrogen). The word describes a compound that is derived from acetone and contains a nitrile group, indicating its chemical structure.

Memory Tip

Think of 'vinegar' ('acetum') as part of the base compound and remember that 'nitrile' indicates the presence of nitrogen in the structure, which helps you understand that acetonitrile is a compound related to acetone with a nitrogen component.

Visually Confused Words