ˈäpəˌnau̇(ə)r, -au̇ə- noun
Usage: usually capitalized 1st O
Etymology: after Rupert V. Oppenaur 20th century Austrian chemist
: the oxidation of a saturated or unsaturated secondary alcohol (as cholesterol) to the corresponding ketone by reaction with acetone or other ketone in the presence of aluminum tert -butoxide or aluminum isopropoxide — compare meerwein-ponndorf reaction