University Chemistry ›› 2026, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (7): 455-458.doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202506030

• Self Studies • Previous Articles    

Clarifying the Chinese nomenclature of “pinacolyl alcohol” and “pinacol”

Zhanhui Yang1, Aijun Gao2   

  1. 1 Department of Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China;
    2 College of Materials Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
  • Received:2025-06-03 Accepted:2025-08-19 Published:2026-06-27
  • Contact: Zhanhui Yang, Aijun Gao E-mail:zhyang@mail.buct.edu.cn;gaoaj@mail.buct.edu.cn

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Abstract: Pinacolyl alcohol and pinacol are structurally distinct compounds, yet their Chinese translations exhibit remarkable similarity, leading to persistent confusion among students and researchers across both military and civilian academic institutions. This study systematically examines the nuanced differences in Chinese nomenclature between pinacolyl alcohol, pinacol, and their respective derivatives. The analysis explicitly delineates how the term “pinacol” and prefix “pinacol-” represent two distinct carbon skeletons in different naming contexts, thereby resolving existing ambiguities and facilitating more precise academic communication in chemical terminology.

Key words: Pinacolyl alcohol, 3,3-Dimethylbutan-2-ol, Pinacol, 2,3-Dimethylbutan-2,3-diol, Chinese terminology