3-methoxybenzaldehyde
|3-meth-ox-y-ben-zal-de-hyde|
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/ˌθriːˌmɛθˈɑːksiˌbɛnˈzældhaɪd/
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/ˌθriːˌmɛθˈɒksiˌbɛnˈzældhaɪd/
benzaldehyde with a methoxy group at position 3
Etymology
'3-methoxybenzaldehyde' originates from modern chemical nomenclature (IUPAC-style), combining the numeral '3-' with 'methoxy' (from 'methyl' + 'oxy') and 'benzaldehyde' (from 'benzene' + 'aldehyde').
'methoxy' developed from 'methyl' (itself from Greek 'methy' originally meaning 'wine', later used in chemical naming) + 'oxy' from Greek 'oxys' meaning 'sharp' or 'acid'; 'benzaldehyde' arose in 19th-century chemistry from 'benzal' (related to benzoin and benzene derivatives) to name the aldehyde derived from benzene structures. The full systematic name reflects modern structural nomenclature.
Initially, the elements 'methyl', 'oxy', 'benz' and 'aldehyde' referred to separate historical roots and substances; over time the assembled name came to specifically denote the benzaldehyde molecule substituted at the 3-position by a methoxy group.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an aromatic aldehyde in which a methoxy group (-OCH3) is attached to the 3-position of a benzaldehyde ring; commonly known as m-anisaldehyde and used as a fragrance component and a chemical intermediate.
3-Methoxybenzaldehyde is commonly used as a fragrance component and as an intermediate in organic synthesis.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/03 21:57