Acetyl is an organic radical not yet isolated, but which is supposed to exist in acetic acid and its derivatives; the rational formula for acetic acid being on this hypothesis . See CHEMISTRY, RADICAL. The reason for assuming the existence of this radical in the acetic compounds is, that the formula to which it leads affords the simplest explanation of the most important reactions of acetic acid. Thus, when acetic acid is treated with a metallic oxide or hydrate, the basic atom of hydrogen is replaced by a metal, and an acetate of the metal, , is produced. The term acetyl was formerly applied to the radical .
Acetyl
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 1: A to Beaufort, p. 34
Source scan(s): p. 0047