Chemical compound, say, receiving attention (8)

I believe the answer is:

stearate

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'chemical' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'compound say receiving attention' is the wordplay.
'compound say' becomes 'state' (synonyms. I am not sure about the 'compound' bit.).
'receiving' indicates putting letters inside.
'attention' becomes 'ear' (have the ear of someone is to have their attention).
'state' placed around 'ear' is 'STEARATE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for stearate that I've seen is " Chemical".)

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