Chem. [f. AMYL + -ENE.] The diatomic hydrocarbon, or olefine, of the pentacarbon series, C5H10, also called Pentene or Quintene, formed by the removal of one atom of water from amyl alcohol, and bearing the same relation to amyl that ethylene does to ethyl. It is a colorless very thin fluid with anæsthetic properties.
1858. Penny Cycl., 2nd Supp. 680/2. Dr. Snow found that amylene was capable of producing the same effects as chloroform.
1880. Cleminshaw, trans. Wurtz’ Atom. The., 292. All known amylenes present the character of non-saturated compounds.
b. attrib. Amylene-alcohol or -glycol, C, C5H10 . 2OH, the glycol of the Amyl series; ‘a colourless, very syrupy liquid, having a bitter taste with aromatic after-taste.’ Watts.
