osmium tetroxide

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a crystalline or amorphous, colorless, poisonous compound, OsO 4 , soluble in water, alcohol, and ether: used for microscopic staining, in photography, and as a catalyst in organic synthesis.

osmium tetroxide

noun

1. a yellowish poisonous water-soluble crystalline substance with a penetrating odour, used as a reagent and catalyst in organic synthesis. Formula: OsO 4

Word History and Origins

Origin of osmium tetroxide¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Osmium tetroxide (OsO4) is a very volatile liquid and is used under the name of osmic acid as a stain for sections in microscopy.

From Project Gutenberg