alkylation

American  

[al-kuh-ley-shuhn] / ˌæl kəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

Chemistry.

1. the replacement of a hydrogen atom in an organic compound by an alkyl group.

2. the addition of a paraffin to an olefin, done in the manufacture of gasoline.

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alkylation British  

/ ˌælkɪˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. the attachment of an alkyl group to an organic compound, usually by the addition or substitution of a hydrogen atom or halide group

2. the addition of an alkane hydrocarbon to an alkene in producing high-octane fuels

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Etymology

Origin of alkylation

First recorded in 1895–1900; alkyl + -ation

Example Sentences

Goldsmith said a Chevron refinery in Salt Lake City found an ionic-liquid alkylation process as an alternative to MHF.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2026

Furthermore, the new platinum complex could catalyze the hydroxy/alkoxy alkylation of olefins -- a reaction that could not be catalyzed with existing well-known ligands.

From Science Daily • Sep. 19, 2023

Together, our work reveals a previously unrecognized ubiquitin-dependent pathway induced specifically to repair alkylation damage, shedding light on the molecular mechanism of X-linked trichothiodystrophy.

From Nature • Nov. 7, 2017

The blast blew debris onto alkylation unit settler tanks containing toxic hydrofluoric acid.

From Washington Post • May 3, 2017

Tesoro told the Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Program on Monday that the latest two workers were sprayed with the acid while working on the alkylation unit, Friedman said.

From Reuters • Mar. 11, 2014