Originally, an alcoholate was the crystalline form of a
salt
Salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl), a chemical compound belonging to the larger class of salts; salt in the form of a natural crystalline mineral is known as rock salt or halite. Salt is present in vast quant ...
in which
alcohol took the place of
water of crystallization
In chemistry, water(s) of crystallization or water(s) of hydration are water molecules that are present inside crystals. Water is often incorporated in the formation of crystals from aqueous solutions. In some contexts, water of crystallization i ...
, such as
nCl3(OC2H5)·C2H5OHsub>2 and
C8H6N4O5·CH
3OH. However this denomination should not be used anymore for the ending -ate often occurs in names for anions.
The second meaning of the word is that of a
tincture
A tincture is typically an extract of plant or animal material dissolved in ethanol (ethyl alcohol). Solvent concentrations of 25–60% are common, but may run as high as 90%.Groot Handboek Geneeskrachtige Planten by Geert Verhelst In chemistr ...
, or alcoholic extract of plant material.
The third, and more usual meaning of the word is as a synonym for
alkoxide— is the conjugate base of an alcohol.
References
Salts
Alcohol
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