verb
- to introduce an ethyl group into (a molecule or compound) through a chemical reaction
Usage: chemistry; technical
Examples
- The chemist will ethylate the alcohol to create the desired ester.
- Ethylating the compound increased its solubility in organic solvents.
- The reaction ethylates the hydroxyl groups on the sugar molecule.
- Researchers ethylated the protein to study its modified structure.
- This procedure ethylates multiple sites within the polymer chain.