pinacol

noun

pin·​a·​col

ˈpinəˌkȯl,

-kōl

plural -s

1

: a liquid glycol (CH₃)₂C(OH)C(OH)(CH₃)₂ that forms a crystalline hexahydrate C₆H₁₂(OH)₂.6H₂O and that is usually made from acetone by reduction with amalgamated magnesium followed by hydrolysis of the intermediate magnesium derivative; 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol

2

: any of a series of tetrasubstituted derivatives of ethylene glycol obtained by reduction of ketones other than acetone

pinacolic adjective

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary pinac- + -ol; from the fact that it unites with water to form tabloid-shaped crystals

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