1. A colorless, volatile liquid aldehyde (CH₃CHO) with a pungent odor, used in the manufacture of acetic acid, plastics, and other chemicals; also called acetaldehyde.
Usage: chemistry term; also known as acetaldehyde

Examples

• Ethanal is produced industrially by the oxidation of ethylene.
• The chemical formula for ethanal is C₂H₄O.
• Ethanal is used as a starting material in the synthesis of many organic compounds.
• The pungent smell of ethanal can be detected at very low concentrations.
• Ethanal is an intermediate in the metabolism of ethanol in the human body.