Definition: Acetylene is a compound with the formula C2H2. It is a colorless, odorless, gas that can be produced at low pressure in an industrial process. The chemical name for acetylene is ethane. The word "acetylate" is used to describe a type of organic compound where two or more carbons are bonded together by means other than hydrogen atoms. Acetyls are usually produced in the synthesis of organic pigments, but they can also occur naturally as a result of various chemical reactions. In this case, the term acetylation refers specifically to the process that converts the acetylene (C2H2) into ethane (C2H6).

acetylate

Definition: Acetylation is the process of adding a group to an amino acid in place of one or more carbons, which changes the shape and conformation of the molecule. This can affect its hydrophilicity (ability of molecules to pass through water), solubility, and stability. In general, acetylated compounds are characterized by a single carboxyl group attached to the nitrogen atoms of the amino acid side chain in place of one or more carbons. The carboxyl group is attached to the first carbon of the amino acid's side chain, which results in a hydrophilic surface and increased solubility. Acetylation can also be performed on other functional groups such as alcohols (e.g., acetyl), esters (e.g., acetylglutamate), or hydrazides. In these cases, the carboxyl group is attached to the first carbon of an alcohol, amino acid, or hydroxy functional group, respectively. The specific type of acetylation process depends on the specific properties and functionalities of the compound being modified. For example, acetyl groups can be added to hydroxy functions (e.g., amino acids), which lead to a significant change in solubility and stability; whereas, acyl or ester groups attached to alcohol functional groups may result in a slight increase in solubility. Understanding these differences is crucial for the application of acetylation techniques, as it can influence the desired properties of a molecule.

acetylated