lauryl alcohol

[ lawr-il, lor- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a compound that, depending upon purity, is either a crystalline solid or colorless liquid, C 12 H 26 O, obtained by the reduction of fatty acids of coconut oil: used chiefly in the manufacture of synthetic detergents.

lauryl alcohol

/ ˈlɒ-; ˈlɔːrɪl /

noun

1. a water-insoluble crystalline solid used in the manufacture of detergents; 1-dodecanol. Formula: CH 3 (CH 2 ) 10 CH 2 OH

lauryl alcohol

/ lôr′əl /

1. A colorless solid alcohol used in synthetic detergents and pharmaceuticals. Chemical formula: C 12 H 26 O.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lauryl alcohol¹

First recorded in 1920–25; laur(ic) + -yl

Word History and Origins

Origin of lauryl alcohol¹

C20: from laur ( ic acid ) + -yl

Example Sentences

The Jason brand said on its website that coconut oil, from which sodium coco sulfate is derived, naturally contains lauryl alcohol, which is what is used to make sodium lauryl sulfate.

From Wall Street Journal

The foaming agent, lauryl alcohol, is acutely toxic to marine animals, but has been deemed harmless to human health.

From The Guardian

I picked out the pungent, aromatic odor of toluene and the hospital smell of diethyl ether, and I thought I could detect the heavy odor of lauryl alcohol.

From Project Gutenberg