Definition

A chemical compound that is a derivative of indole, often produced by bacteria and found in various plants and animals, and is used in the production of indigo dye.

Example

Indoxyl is an important intermediate in the synthesis of indigo dye.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of indoxyl?

No, I haven’t. What is it?

It's a compound that's produced when bacteria break down certain acids in plants.

That sounds interesting! I didn't know that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Indoxyl is derived from "indole" (a compound derived from the amino acid tryptophan, meaning a bicyclic structure containing a benzene ring fused to a pyrrole ring) and "-yl" (a suffix used in chemistry to denote a radical or a substituent). The word refers to a chemical compound related to indole, specifically a radical form of it.

Memory Tip

Think of 'indole' as a structure that is part of indoxyl, which helps you remember that indoxyl is a chemical compound related to indole.

Visually Confused Words