Word Study
amyl alcohol
CIDE DICTIONARY
amyl alcohol,
Any of eight isomeric liquid alcohols (C5H11.OH ), transparent, colorless liquids. It is the hydroxide of amyl. Also called amylic alcohol . The amyl alcohol obtained from fusel oil is mostly isoamyl alcohol (3-methyl-1-butanol or 1-hydroxy-3-methylbutane), with some sec-amyl alcohol (2-methyl-1-butanol or 2-pentanol ), and has a characteristic peculiar odor. Other than n-amyl alcohol (also called 1-pentanol ) the other isomeric pentanols are not usually refered to as amyl alcohol. The amyl alcohol mixture in fusel oil forms a colorless liquid with a peculiar cough-exciting odor and burning taste. It is used as a source of amyl compounds, such as amyl acetate, amyl nitrite, etc. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
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