f. L. cētus, Gr. κῆτος whale, is used to form names of a series of chemical substances derived from spermaceti, i.e., sperma ceti whale’s sperm. The chief are Cetane, the paraffin of the hexdecyl or cetyl series, C16 H34, a colorless liquid. Cetene, the olefine of the same series (C16 H32), formerly called Cetylene, a colorless oily liquid. Cetic a., of the whale, or of spermaceti: applied to what was supposed to be a peculiar acid resulting from the saponification of cetin, but which has been ascertained to be only a mixture of margaric acid and cetin. Cetin, improperly cetine, a white crystalline fatty substance (C32 H64 O) forming the essential part of spermaceti, and used in the manufacture of candles. Cetine, the ethine or acetylene member of the cetyl series (C16 H30) also called Hexdecine, and formerly Cetenylene, a colorless liquid lighter than water. Cetyl, the hydrocarbon radical (C16 H33), assumed to exist in Cetic acid, and the other members of the Cetyl, or Cetylic series: among these are Cetyl or Cetylic Alcohol, a white crystalline substance (C16 H33·OH), also called ethal; cetyl hydride = Cetane; cetyl-salt any salt of cetyl, as cetyl-acetate, cetyl-palmitate. Cetylamine (see quot.). Cetylate, a compound of cetyl with a base, as potassium cetylate. Cetylene = Cetene. Cetylic a., of cetyl, as in Cetylic alcohol, Cetylic acid = Cetic acid.
1871. Watts, Dict. Chem., 1st Supp. 421. *Cetane or Cetyl hydride is one of the constituents of American petroleum.
1884. Athenæum, 699/1. Cetane (boiling at 278°).
1838. T. Thomson, Chem. Org. Bodies, 322. This new substance has been distinguished by Dumas and Peligot by the name of *cetene.
It is a colourless oily liquid, which stains paper.
1826. Henry, Elem. Chem. (1840), II. 405. Chevreul separated a substance, which he terms *cetic acid. It is a white solid, fusible at nearly the same point as spermaceti.
1836. Blackw. Mag., XXXIX. 310. One of three acids, either the oleic, margaritic, or cetic; the first being contained in oils, the second in animal fats, the third in spermaceti.
1836–9. Todd, Cycl. Anat., II. 234/1. It deposits the purified spermaceti in white crystalline scales, and in this state, Chevreul terms it *Cetine.
1838. T. Thomson, Chem. Org. Bodies, 724. It has nearly the feel of cetin.
1876. Harley, Mat. Med., 794. Nearly pure cetin obtained, mixed with oil, from the head of the sperm whale.
1868. Royle & Headland, Mat. Med. (ed. 5), 750. Ethal is also called Cetylic Alcohol, for it seems to be the hydrated oxide of a radical called *cetyle.
1873. Watts, Fownes’ Chem., 610. Cetyl alcohol, or Ethal, is a white crystalline mass, which melts at about 50°.
1850. Daubeny, Atom. The., vii. (ed. 2), 229. Spermaceti is a compound of cetylic acid with the oxide of cetyle.
1863–79. Watts, Dict. Chem., I. 840. *Cetylamines … bases formed by the substitution of cetyl in place of hydrogen in a molecule of ammonia.
1880. Athenæum, 27 Nov., 713/1. The authors … have thus prepared aluminic methylate … *cetylate, [etc.].
1864. H. Spencer, Biol., I. 6. *Cetylene is a liquid which boils at 527°.
c. 1865. Letheby, in Circ. Sc., I. 97/2. A fatty acid (*cetylic), which fuses at 131°.
