Definition

A type of chemical compound that is a ketone with a hydroxyl group attached to the alpha carbon.

Example

The chemist synthesized an acyloin for the experiment.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of acyloin?

No, I haven't! What is it?

It's a type of α-hydroxy ketone used in organic chemistry.

That sounds interesting! I'll look it up.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Acyloin → The word is derived from "acyl" (from the Greek "akylos", meaning a radical derived from an organic acid) and "-oin" (a suffix used in organic chemistry to denote a ketone or aldehyde). Acyloin refers to a type of compound that contains both an acyl group and a hydroxyl group, typically formed from the condensation of two molecules of aldehydes or ketones.

Memory Tip

Think of 'acyl' as a part of an organic acid and '-oin' indicating a specific type of compound, helping you remember that acyloin is a compound related to organic acids.

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