Pronunciation: [bjˈuːtɪɹə͡l] (IPA) 
The word "butyral" is spelled with five letters in English, but it is pronounced with six sounds. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈbjuːtɪrəl/. The first two sounds are the "b" and "y" sounds, followed by the "oo" sound as in "boot". Then comes the "t" and "ih" sounds, and finally the "r" sound at the end. This word is commonly used in chemistry and refers to a type of organic acid.
Butyral is a chemical compound that is typically referred to as butyraldehyde. It is an organic compound belonging to the aldehyde group, specifically the four-carbon aldehydes. The term "butyral" is derived from the word "butyric acid," which is an organic acid with a similar molecular structure.
In terms of physical properties, butyral is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor. It is soluble in water to a limited extent and exhibits a relatively low boiling point. Butyral is primarily used as a raw material or intermediate in the production of various chemicals, such as plasticizers, lubricants, and polymers.
Butyraldehyde is commonly produced through the hydroformylation process, which involves reacting propylene with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. It is widely utilized across different industries, including the manufacturing of resins, coatings, and synthetic fibers.
From a chemical perspective, butyral can react with a variety of compounds, enabling its inclusion in various chemical reactions and processes. It is notable for its ability to undergo reduction reactions, which can convert it to alcohol derivatives. These versatile chemical properties make butyral an essential component in the synthesis of diverse organic compounds.
The word "butyral" is derived from the longer chemical term "butyl aldehyde".
The term "butyl" refers to a four-carbon alkyl group, which is derived from the word "butane". "Butane" itself originated from the Latin word "butyrum", meaning butter. This is because butane was first discovered in butter (alongside other components).
The term "aldehyde" indicates a specific type of organic compound that contains a functional group called an aldehyde group (—CHO). The word "aldehyde" is derived from the Latin terms "al" (alcohol) and "dehydrogenatus" (dehydrogenated), indicating that aldehydes are formed by dehydrogenating alcohols.
So, "butyral" is essentially a shortened form of "butyl aldehyde", which describes an aldehyde compound derived from butane.
