phthalic anhydride

noun

: a crystalline cyclic acid anhydride C8H4O3 used especially in making alkyd resins

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phthalic anhydride was in 1855

Dictionary Entries Near phthalic anhydride

phthalic acid

phthalic anhydride

phthalide

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Cite this Entry

“Phthalic anhydride.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phthalic%20anhydride. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

phthalic anhydride

noun
: a crystalline cyclic acid anhydride C8H4O3 that is used especially in making alkyd resins and is a structural part of thalidomide

More from Merriam-Webster on phthalic anhydride

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about phthalic anhydride

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