phosgene Hear it!

phosgene definition

phos·gene (fäs′jēn′)

noun

a colorless, volatile, highly poisonous liquid, COCl, prepared by the reaction of carbon monoxide with chlorine in the presence of activated charcoal or, orig., in sunlight; carbonyl chloride: used as a poison gas, in organic synthesis, in making dyes, etc.

Etymology: so named (1812) by Sir Humphry Davy < Gr phōs, light (see phosphorus) + -gene, -gen

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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