nitrolyse
|ni-tro-lyse|
/ˈnaɪtrəˌlaɪz/
split or modify by a nitro group
Etymology
'nitrolyse' is formed from the combining form 'nitro-' (from 'nitre'/'nitrum', related to nitrogen and nitre salts) + the combining form '-lyse' (from Greek 'lysis' meaning 'loosening' or 'splitting').
'nitro-' originates from Latin 'nitrum' and Greek 'nitron' referring to native soda or saltpeter; '-lyse' comes from Greek 'lysis' (via New Latin/Modern scientific formation). The modern English verb 'nitrolyse' is a technical coinage formed in chemistry by joining these elements.
Originally, 'nitro-' referred to saltpetre or related substances and '-lyse' to general loosening or dissolution; over time they combined to name a specific chemical operation: 'to split, modify, or introduce nitro groups in a molecule.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a chemical process called 'nitrolysis' — the reaction or reaction step in which nitro groups are introduced or cause bond cleavage; the product mixture or result of that process (see transformed noun 'nitrolysis').
The nitrolysis of the compound produced the expected nitro derivative.
Synonyms
Verb 1
(transitive) To introduce a nitro group (—NO2) into an organic compound; to nitrate a molecule by chemical reaction.
Chemists often nitrolyse aromatic compounds to introduce nitro groups that alter reactivity.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/23 18:53