alkanethiol

noun

al·​kane·​thi·​ol ¦al-ˌkān-¦thī-ˌȯl How to pronounce alkanethiol (audio)
-ˌōl
plural alkanethiols
: any of various hydrocarbon polymers also containing sulfur that are deposited on a surface (such as gold) in a monolayer typically in order to create an electronic circuit
… described how he and his colleagues have used self-assembling hydrocarbon molecules, called alkanethiols, to form ordered rows on a gold surface.Gary Stix, Scientific American, April 1996

Word History

Etymology

alkane + thiol

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alkanethiol was in 1946

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near alkanethiol

Cite this Entry

“Alkanethiol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alkanethiol. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!