xanthic acid

noun

1

a

: a colorless unstable oily thio acid C₂H₅OCSSH obtained in the form of its potassium salt by reaction of potassium ethoxide with carbon disulfide; O-ethyl dithio-carbonate

b

: any of a series of analogous unstable thio acids ROCSSH obtained in the form of their salts by reaction of alkoxides with carbon disulfide : an O-ester of dithio-carbonic acid

methyl xanthic acid CH₃OCSSH

2

: a hypothetical thio acid HOCSSH whose O-esters are the xanthic acids : dithio-carbonic acid

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!