triphenyltetrazolium chloride

noun

tri·​phenyl·​tetrazolium chloride

(¦)trī¦fenᵊl,

-fēn-+…-

: a colorless crystalline salt C(C₆H₅)₃N₄Cl that is obtained by oxidative ring closure of triphenylformazan and that gives back triphenylformazan on reduction (as by enzymes or reducing sugars) so that the red color formed can serve as a stain for tissues, as a test for viability (as of seeds), and as an analytical reagent

called also tetrazolium chloride, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride, TTC

Word History

Etymology

triphenyl- + tetrazolium

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