Definition

Noun: A colorless, pungent-smelling, toxic liquid with the chemical formula C₃H₆O. It is an unsaturated primary alcohol containing an allyl group (CH₂=CH-CH₂-). It is used primarily as a chemical intermediate in the production of other compounds.

Usage

Allyl alcohol is used as a chemical building block. It is a key starting material or intermediate in industrial synthesis. - Primary Use: It is used to make resins, plasticizers, and pharmaceuticals. - Property: It is highly toxic and irritant, requiring careful handling.

Examples

• The laboratory synthesized the new polymer using as a monomer.
• Safety protocols are strict when handling due to its toxicity.
• is present in small amounts in wood spirit (crude wood-derived methanol).

Advanced Usage

• Chemical Intermediate: In organic chemistry, is a versatile intermediate for introducing the allyl group into molecules, which can then undergo further reactions like the Claisen rearrangement.
• Derivative Formation: It is used to produce allyl esters, ethers, and glycidyl ethers, which are important in various industrial applications.

Variants and Related Words

• Allyl (noun): The univalent radical CH₂=CH-CH₂–, which forms the reactive part of allyl alcohol.
• Allylic (adjective): Referring to or characteristic of an allyl group or its position in a molecule (e.g., allylic carbon).

Synonyms

• 2-Propen-1-ol (IUPAC name)
• Vinylcarbinol (obsolete name)

Notes

This is a specialized chemical term. Its usage is almost exclusively confined to chemistry, industrial manufacturing, and safety data sheets. It is not used in everyday conversation.

Noun

1. an unsaturated primary alcohol present in wood spirit; use to make resins and plasticizers and pharmaceuticals