Definition

A clear, colorless liquid with a sweet smell, made from plant materials, often used in making other chemicals and as a solvent.

Example

Furfural is commonly used in the production of furan and phenolic resins.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of furfural?

Yeah, I think it's used in making some types of resins.

Right! It's also known for its sweet smell, isn't it?

Exactly, it's quite interesting how it's made from plant materials.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Furfural is derived from 'furfur' (from Latin, meaning bran) and '-al' (a suffix used in chemistry to denote an aldehyde). The word refers to an aldehyde derived from bran, which is a byproduct of grain processing.

Memory Tip

Think of 'bran' ('furfur') as the source of this chemical compound, and remember that 'furfural' is an aldehyde made from bran.

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