phenylacetaldehyde

[ fen-l-as-i-tal-duh-hahyd, feen- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, oily, water-insoluble liquid, C 3 H 1 4 O, having a hyacinthlike odor: used chiefly in perfumery.

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenylacetaldehyde¹

phenyl + acet- + aldehyde

Example Sentences

According to Pichersky, the scent of those cherry blossoms that drew crowds to the Tidal Basin this month includes notes of almond-conjuring benzaldehyde; rose-smelling phenylacetaldehyde; some 2-phenylethanol; sweet and spicy benzyl alcohol; and probably touches of honey-smelling ethyl phenylacetate and linalool, a hint of citrus that reminds Pichersky of the orange groves in Israel where he grew up.

From Washington Post