piperonyl butoxide

[ pi-per-uh-nl, pahy-, pip-er-uh-nil ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a light-brown liquid, C 1 9 H 3 0 O 5 , used chiefly as a synergist in certain insecticides.

Word History and Origins

Origin of piperonyl butoxide¹

1940–45; piperon(al) + -yl; but- (from butyric ) + oxide

Example Sentences

A type of bed net called a PBO net that contains pyrethroid and piperonyl butoxide, a compound that enhances pyrethroid’s effectiveness, would be substantially more effective than pyrethroid-only nets5.

From Nature

The new nets contain pyrethroids, a class of chemicals used in nets for over a decade, along with the newer compound, piperonyl butoxide, which blocks mosquitoes’ ability to break down pyrethroids.

From New York Times

Piperonyl butoxide largely fades away after two years.

From New York Times

In the study’s second year, protection by nets with piperonyl butoxide had diminished, and malaria prevalence in children was reduced by only 33 percent.

From New York Times

But the pesticide also contains a substance — piperonyl butoxide — that is classified by the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times