Acetyl
/ˈæs.ɪ.taɪl/noun
A chemical radical derived from acetic acid, often represented as CH3CO- in organic chemistry.
Did you know?The name was coined in the 19th century from acetic acid, ultimately from Latin acetum meaning “vinegar,” showing how a humble sour liquid helped name a major chemical group.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
oxos
“vinegar”
Latin
Lat
acetum
“vinegar”
17th Century
Latin
acetum / aceticus
“vinegar; of vinegar”
19th Century
French/English chemistry
acétyl / acetyl
“the radical derived from acetic acid”
Modern English
English
acetyl
“the acyl group CH3CO-”