2-pentanol

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Amyl alcohol \Am"yl al"co*hol\ (Org. Chem.)
     Any of eight isomeric liquid alcohols ({C5H11.OH}),
     transparent, colorless liquids. It is the hydroxide of amyl.
     Also called {amylic alcohol}. The amyl alcohol obtained from
     {fusel oil} is mostly isoamyl alcohol (3-methyl-1-butanol or
     1-hydroxy-3-methylbutane), with some {sec-amyl alcohol}


     (2-methyl-1-butanol or {2-pentanol}), and has a
     characteristic peculiar odor. Other than {n-amyl alcohol}
     (also called {1-pentanol}) the other isomeric pentanols are
     not usually refered to as amyl alcohol. The amyl alcohol
     mixture in fusel oil forms a colorless liquid with a peculiar
     cough-exciting odor and burning taste. It is used as a source
     of amyl compounds, such as amyl acetate, amyl nitrite, etc.
     [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]