water of crystallization

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. water of hydration, formerly thought necessary to crystallization: now usually regarded as affecting crystallization only as it forms new molecular combinations.

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water of crystallization British  

noun

1. water present in the crystals of certain compounds. It is chemically combined in stoichiometric amounts, usually by coordinate or hydrogen bonds, but can often be easily expelled

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water of crystallization Scientific  

1. Water in a crystal structure that is chemically combined with the other elements in the crystal. The water of crystallization is necessary for the maintenance of crystalline properties, but it can be removed by heat.

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Etymology

Origin of water of crystallization

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Using four 20-in. mirrors, he focuses sunlight on powdered pitchstone in a glass laboratory tube until its water of crystallization steams off.

From Time Magazine Archive

These crystals on heating to 130� C. lose the water of crystallization and leave a residue of the anhydrous peroxide.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 3 "Banks" to "Bassoon" by Various

Composition.—Conchinamine may be represented by the formula C19H24N2O2, without water of crystallization.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 315, January 14, 1882 by Various

If moist radium chloride or a salt of radium containing water of crystallization is sealed in a glass tube, the gradual accumulation of hydrogen and oxygen will burst the tube.

From A Brief Account of Radio-activity by Venable, Francis Preston

When heated, its water of crystallization is driven off, and it becomes light and spongy with slightly corrosive properties, and is used as a caustic under the name of burnt alum.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 1 A to Amide by Various