octanol

noun

oc·​ta·​nol

ˈäktəˌnȯl,

-nōl

plural -s

: any of four liquid alcohols C₈H₁₇OH derived from normal octane: such as

a

: the primary alcohol CH₃(CH₂)₆CH₂OH having a penetrating odor, occurring free or in the form of esters in oils from plant seeds and fruits, and used chiefly in organic synthesis and in perfumes

called also 1-octanol, n-octyl alcohol

b

: a viscous oily secondary alcohol CH₃(CH₂)₅CH(OH)CH₃ having an aromatic odor, made by heating the sodium soap of castor oil, and used chiefly as a solvent, in organic synthesis, and in perfumes

called also 2-octanol

Word History

Etymology

octane + -ol

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