acyl

[ as-il, -eel ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. containing the acyl group.

acyl

/ ˈeɪsaɪl /

noun

1. modifier of, denoting, or containing the monovalent group of atoms RCO-, where R is an organic group

   acyl substitution

   acyl group or radical

2. an organometallic compound in which a metal atom is directly bound to an acyl group

acyl

/ ăs′əl /

1. An organic compound containing the group RCO, where R is a halogen. Acyls are formed from organic acids by replacing the hydroxyl group (OH) within the carboxyl group (COOH) with a halogen. For example, acetyl chloride (CH 3 COCl) is formed by replacing the hydroxyl group of acetic acid (CH 3 COOH) with a chlorine atom. The names of acyls are formed by replacing the suffix –ic of the acid's name with –yl.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acyl¹

1895–1900; < German: an organic radical derived from an acid; acid, -yl

Word History and Origins

Origin of acyl¹

C20: from acid + -yl