1. Plural of acrolein; a colorless, volatile, toxic liquid aldehyde (C₃H₄O) produced by the decomposition of fats and glycerin, used in organic synthesis and as a biocide.
Usage: chemistry; technical term; plural form

Examples

• Acroleins are produced when cooking oils are heated to high temperatures.
• The laboratory synthesized several acroleins for use in polymer research.
• Exposure to acroleins can cause respiratory irritation in workers.
• Acroleins serve as important intermediates in the manufacture of certain plastics.
• The chemist identified acroleins as byproducts of the combustion process.