chloral
Meaning
a colorless, oily liquid with a pungent odor, used in making ddt and formerly as a sedative.
Structure
Usage
chloral was a common sedative in the late 19th century.
the synthesis of ddt involves chloral as a key precursor.
pure chloral is a corrosive and toxic liquid.
Etymology
the term chloral is a modern chemical coinage from the 19th century. it combines the greek root 'chlor-', referencing the greenish color of chlorine gas from which it is derived, with the chemical suffix '-al', indicating its nature as an aldehyde. the name thus logically reflects its origin from chlorine and its specific chemical class. its primary historical use was as a sedative, leading to the better-known compound chloral hydrate.
Analysis
chlor is from greek 'khlōros' meaning 'greenish-yellow' or 'pale green'. al is a suffix from latin '-alis', used in chemistry to denote an aldehyde.