Ethoxyaniline is a compound with the chemical formula C8H11NO. Its complex name may seem daunting at first glance, but a breakdown of its phonetic transcription makes it easier to understand. The first syllable is "e-thox-y," pronounced /ɛθɒksi/, with emphasis on the first syllable. The second part is "ani-line," pronounced /ˈænəlaɪn/. Together, the word is pronounced as /ɛθɒksiˈænəlaɪn/. The spelling of Ethoxyaniline reflects the specific chemical makeup of this organic compound.
Ethoxyaniline is an organic compound that belongs to the family of aniline derivatives. It is an aromatic substance that consists of a benzene ring with an amine (-NH2) group and an ethoxy (-OCH2CH3) group attached to it. The molecular formula of ethoxyaniline is C8H11NO, and its systematic name is 2-ethoxyaniline.
Ethoxyaniline is a clear to pale yellow liquid that is sparingly soluble in water but readily dissolves in organic solvents such as ethanol, ether, and chloroform. It has a distinctive odor and is primarily used as an intermediate in the production of various chemicals, including dyes and pharmaceuticals.
In terms of its chemical properties, ethoxyaniline is a weak base due to the presence of the amine group. It readily undergoes typical reactions of aromatic compounds such as electrophilic substitution reactions, where the benzene ring is attacked by electrophiles to form new compounds. It can also be subjected to oxidation reactions to produce different functional groups.
Due to its potential hazardous properties, such as being harmful if swallowed or inhaled, ethoxyaniline requires careful handling and storage. It should be kept in a well-ventilated area and away from sources of ignition. Occupational exposure to ethoxyaniline should be minimized, and protective measures such as gloves and goggles should be used when working with this compound.
The word "ethoxyaniline" can be broken down into two parts: "ethoxy" and "aniline".
The term "ethoxy" is derived from the combination of the prefix "eth-" which refers to an ethyl group (a two-carbon alkyl group) and "-oxy" referring to the chemical functional group -O-, which indicates the presence of an oxygen atom. Therefore, "ethoxy" suggests the presence of an ethyl group attached to an oxygen atom.
The term "aniline" has its roots in the substance it refers to, which is an organic compound called aniline. Aniline is a primary aromatic amine that is derived from benzene. The word "aniline" itself was derived from the Spanish word "anil", which means indigo, due to the fact that aniline compounds were initially extracted from indigo dye.