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acetic anhydride
noun
: a colorless liquid C4H6O3 with a pungent odor used in organic synthesis (as of cellulose acetate and aspirin)
Examples of acetic anhydride in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As aforementioned, it is produced by combining Delta-8 THC with acetic anhydride.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2022
It can be synthesized through a chemical process using acetic anhydride, a high-inflammable and colorless liquid used to make fibers, plastics, pharmaceuticals, dyes, and explosives.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2022
Finally, acetic anhydride is added to the delta-8 THC molecules to produce THC-O acetate.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2022
The company had been selling acetic anhydride in convenient wine bottle-sized jugs in retail stores, which were traced back to Mexican drug labs.
—Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2021
The investigation was triggered by a Bloomberg Businessweek report that found that J.T. Baker-brand acetic anhydride had been easily diverted to make heroin in violation of Mexican law.
—Michael Smith, Bloomberg.com, 15 Sep. 2020
None appears to have fared better than acetic anhydride, which is required to make heroin and also used by Mexican cartels over the past decade to make meth.
—Cam Simpson, Bloomberg.com, 28 Aug. 2020
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Word History
First Known Use
1855, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near acetic anhydride
Cite this Entry
“Acetic anhydride.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acetic%20anhydride. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
acetic anhydride
noun
: a colorless liquid (CH3CO)2O with a pungent odor and lacrimatory and vesicant action that is used especially in making acetyl derivatives (as aspirin)
More from Merriam-Webster on acetic anhydride
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about acetic anhydride
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