benzaldehyde

[ ben-zal-duh-hahyd ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless or yellowish, water-soluble, volatile oil, C 7 H 6 O, having a bitter, almondlike odor, used chiefly in the organic synthesis of dyes, perfumes, and flavors, and as a solvent; artificial oil of bitter almond.

benzaldehyde

/ bɛnˈzældɪˌhaɪd /

noun

1. a yellowish fragrant volatile oil occurring in almond kernels and used in the manufacture of dyes, perfumes, and flavourings and as a solvent for oils and resins. Formula: C 6 H 5 CHO Systematic namebenzenecarbaldehyde

benzaldehyde

/ bĕn-zăl′də-hīd′ /

1. A colorless aromatic oil that smells like almonds. It is obtained naturally from certain nuts and plant leaves, or made synthetically. It is used in perfumes and as a solvent and flavoring. Chemical formula: C 7 H 6 O.

Word History and Origins

Origin of benzaldehyde¹

From German, dating back to 1865–70; benz-, aldehyde

Example Sentences

Emulsine has the property of being able to hydrolyse the glucoside amygdalin to glucose, benzaldehyde, and hydrocyanic acid.

From Project Gutenberg

It crystallizes from water in large rhombic crystals, which melt at 118 C. Oxidizing agents convert it into benzaldehyde.

From Project Gutenberg

When completely hydrolyzed, it yields two molecules of glucose and one each of benzaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid.

From Project Gutenberg

The natural oil may frequently be differentiated from artificial benzaldehyde by the presence of chlorine in the latter.

From Project Gutenberg

Chlorine and nitric acid oxidize it to benzil; chromic acid mixture and potassium permanganate, to benzoic acid and benzaldehyde.

From Project Gutenberg