acetic anhydride

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, pungent liquid, C 4 H 6 O 3 , the anhydride of acetic acid: used chiefly as a reagent and in the production of plastics, film, and fabrics derived from cellulose.

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acetic anhydride British  

noun

1. a colourless pungent liquid used in the manufacture of cellulose and vinyl acetates for synthetic fabrics. Formula: (CH 3 CO) 2 O

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Etymology

Origin of acetic anhydride

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

It is heated to start the reaction, and when it is complete the resins, residual acetic anhydride and acetic acid are wicked away from the wood, and the pine has become Accoya.

From BBC • May 6, 2011

A vacuum is created and then flooded with a liquid called acetic anhydride - effectively industrial vinegar - which is sucked into the spaces in the wood.

From BBC • May 6, 2011

The so-called precursor chemicals, such as acetic anhydride, also have legal uses, including in the paint and pharmaceutical industries.

From Time Magazine Archive

This compound, soluble in acetic anhydride, was boiled with it for six hours after adding fused sodium acetate, and the product separated by pouring into water.

From Researches on Cellulose 1895-1900 by Cross, C. F.

If a rubber stopper is used it should have had a preliminary treatment with hot acetic anhydride vapor.

From Soap-Making Manual A Practical Handbook on the Raw Materials, Their Manipulation, Analysis and Control in the Modern Soap Plant. by Thomssen, E. G.