Chem. [f. TRI- 5 + ETHYL.] a. A formative denoting the presence of three ethyl groups, C2H5, in a compound, as triethylbismuthine, Bi(C2H5)3, triethyl phosphine, P(C2H5)3; see also Triethylamine below. b. spec. denoting the substitution of three ethyl groups for three hydrogen atoms in the substance designated by the rest of the name; e.g., triethylbenzene, C6H3(C2H5)3, in which three ethyl groups take the place of three H atoms in benzene, C6H6; so triethylmethane, CH(C2H5)3 from methane, CH4; triethylcarbinol, C(C2H5)3OH; triethylurea, CONH(C2H5)N(C2H5)2. Also used attrib., as triethyl phosphate, (C2H5)3PO4. Hence Triethylic a. = triethyl attrib.
1858. Fownes, Elem. Chem. (ed. 7), 615. Triethylstibine SbAc3. Ibid. (1873), Chem., 587. Triethylic borate is formed by the action of boron trichloride on alcohol.
1868. Watts, Dict. Chem., V. 880. Triethylglycerin or Triethylin … is a liquid having a pleasant ethereal odour.
1889. Muir & Morley, Watts’ Dict. Chem., II. 506. Tri-ethyl-phosphine…. Colourless mobile liquid. Its odour is very penetrating but not disagreeable.
Hence Triethylamine, the tertiary amine of ethyl, N(C2H5)3, in which the three hydrogen atoms of ammonia, NH3, are replaced by three ethyl groups; formerly also called Triethyl ammonia and Triethylia.
1850. Daubeny, Atom. The., viii. (ed. 2), 242. Triethylamine, consisting of 3 atoms of ethyle replacing 3 of hydrogen.
1857. Miller, Elem. Chem., III. 211. Triethylia … is also a soluble, volatile, and powerful base.
1858. Fownes, Elem. Chem. (ed. 7), 595. Triethylamine, Triethyl-ammonia…. is a colourless, powerfully-alkaline liquid, boiling at 91° C.
