Alcoholate is a term used in chemistry to describe a compound derived from an alcohol, typically formed by reacting it with a metal or an alkoxide. The pronunciation of "alcoholate" is /ˈalkəʊhəleɪt/, with the stress on the second syllable. The word consists of the root "alcohol" and the suffix "-ate," which is used to indicate a salt or an ester formation. The IPA phonetic transcription helps to understand the pronunciation of the word and how it is formed from its constituents.
Alcoholate is a noun that refers to a chemical compound or substance that is formed by the combination of an alcohol with a metal or metalloid element, usually through a process known as alcoholation.
In more technical terms, an alcoholate can be described as a type of compound resulting from the reaction of an alcohol with a metal or metalloid, leading to the formation of an anionic species. The metal or metalloid element in an alcoholate compound often replaces one or more hydrogen atoms in the alcohol molecule, resulting in the formation of a new chemical entity.
Alcoholates can exhibit distinct chemical and physical properties from their parent alcohol compounds. Due to the presence of the metal or metalloid element, alcoholates can display different solubility, reactivity, or stability compared to their corresponding alcohols. These compounds often find applications in various chemical processes, such as catalysts or intermediates for organic synthesis.
Furthermore, alcoholate compounds can serve as valuable precursors in the production of diverse organic and inorganic substances. Their usage can extend to areas such as pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, or materials science. The study and understanding of alcoholates are of utmost importance in the realm of chemistry, as they enable scientists to unlock new possibilities for their reactions and applications.
1. A tincture or other preparation containing alcohol. 2. A chemical compound in which an atom of hydrogen in alcohol is replaced by an atom of an alkaline metal.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
A salt containing alcohol.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "alcoholate" is derived from the combination of two terms: "alcohol" and "ate".
The word "alcohol" comes from the Arabic al-kuḥūl, which referred to a fine powder produced by sublimation, specifically used for cosmetic purposes. When this term was introduced to European languages, it came to represent a distilled substance with intoxicating properties.
The suffix "-ate" is derived from the Latin suffix "-atus", which is commonly used to form nouns and verbs from various Latin root words. In the context of "alcoholate", it is used to create a noun indicating a chemical compound or derivative.
Therefore, combining "alcohol" and "-ate" we arrive at "alcoholate", a term used to describe a compound or derivative of alcohol.