ortho-methoxyaniline
|or-tho-meth-ox-y-an-i-line|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔrθoʊˌmɛˈθɑksiˈænəˌliːn/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːθəʊˌmɛˈθɒksiˈænɪliːn/
aniline with a methoxy group at the ortho (2-) position
Etymology
'ortho-methoxyaniline' is a modern chemical compound name combining several elements: 'ortho' (from Greek 'orthos') used in positional nomenclature, 'methoxy' (formed from 'methyl' + 'oxy'), and 'aniline' (from Spanish/Portuguese 'anil', ultimately from Sanskrit 'nīla').
'aniline' entered European languages via Spanish/Portuguese 'anil' (from Sanskrit 'nīla' meaning 'indigo') and became English 'aniline' in the 19th century; 'methyl' and its derivative 'methoxy' developed in chemical nomenclature in the 19th century from Greek roots, while 'ortho-' (Greek 'orthos') was adopted into chemical positional terminology in the 19th century.
Initially, 'anil' referred to the indigo dye source; over time the term 'aniline' came to denote the specific aromatic amine. 'Ortho' originally meant 'straight' or 'correct' in Greek but in chemistry it evolved to denote the adjacent (2-) position on a benzene ring; 'methoxy' denotes a methoxy substituent derived from 'methyl' + 'oxy'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a substituted aniline in which a methoxy (-OCH3) group is attached to the ortho (2-) position of the benzene ring; also known as o-anisidine or 2-methoxyaniline. Used as an intermediate in dye and chemical synthesis; hazardous and potentially toxic.
Ortho-methoxyaniline is used as an intermediate in the manufacture of certain dyes and pigments.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/05 04:01