benzyl

noun

ben·​zyl ˈben-ˌzēl  -zəl 

: a monovalent radical C₆H₅CH₂− derived from toluene

benzylic

ben-ˈzi-lik 

adjective

Examples of benzyl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, vast quantities of a precursor chemical for amphetamines, benzyl methyl ketone, or BMK, were exported from various Western countries to the Middle East. —Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

While sterile water can be used, most researchers instead opt for bacteriostatic water, which contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol to prevent microbial growth. —The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2023

Conventional home fragrance products can contain hundreds of chemicals, including phthalates, benzaldehyde, camphor, ethyl acetate, benzyl acetate, musk ketone, benzene, formaldehyde, BHT and acetaldehyde. —Lindsey M. Roberts, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2023

Prescription treatment benzyl alcohol works by smothering the lice. —Alena Hall, Verywell Health, 6 Mar. 2023

This year, authorities at Manzanillo have destroyed more than 16 tons of the meth precursor benzyl chloride and three tons of 2-bromoethyl benzene, which can be used to synthesize fentanyl. —Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 13 Dec. 2022

Huigens thinks that the chemicals themselves - benzyl cyanide and methyl salicylate - aren't actually attractive in their own right. —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2010

The flowers use a cocktail of various chemicals to lures in night-flying moths, but the main ingredient is benzyl acetone (BA). —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 21 Jan. 2010

The large cabbage white lays large clutches of 20-50 eggs and uses the benzyl cyanide as an anti-aphrodisiac. —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2010

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary benz- + -yl

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

benzyl

noun

ben·​zyl ˈben-ˌzēl  -zəl 

: a monovalent radical C₆H₅CH₂ derived from toluene