adjective
- relating to or denoting a chemical process in which an alkyl group is introduced into a molecule
Usage: chemistry; technical
verb
- present participle of alkylate; to introduce an alkyl group into (a molecule or compound)
Usage: chemistry; technical
Examples
- Alkylating agents are used in cancer chemotherapy to damage cancer cell DNA.
- The chemist is alkylating the benzene ring with an ethyl group.
- Alkylating reactions are common in organic synthesis.
- Mustard gas is a potent alkylating agent that was used as a chemical weapon.
- The process of alkylating the compound increased its reactivity.