dimercaprol

[ dahy-mer-kap-rawl, -rol ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, oily, viscous liquid, C 3 H 8 OS 2 , originally developed as an antidote to lewisite and now used in treating bismuth, gold, mercury, and arsenic poisoning.

dimercaprol

/ ˌdaɪməˈkæprɒl /

noun

1. a colourless oily liquid with an offensive smell, used as an antidote to lewisite and similar toxic substances. Formula: CH 2 (SH)CH(SH)CH 2 OH Also calledBAL

Word History and Origins

Origin of dimercaprol¹

1945–50; contraction of di-mercapto-propanol ( mercapto- combining form of mercaptan )

Word History and Origins

Origin of dimercaprol¹

C20: by shortening and altering from dimercaptopropanol