auxochrome

[ awk-suh-krohm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any radical or group of atoms that intensifies the color of a substance.

auxochrome

/ ˈɔːksəˌkrəʊm /

noun

1. a group of atoms that can be attached to a chromogen to convert it into a dye

Other Words From

• auxo·chromic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of auxochrome¹

First recorded in 1890–95; auxo- + chrome

Example Sentences

The selenium atom in a cyclic compound also acts like an auxochrome.

From Project Gutenberg

This brings selenophene more akin to pyrrole than thiophene, but the group -NH- in the molecule of pyrrole is an auxochrome.

From Project Gutenberg

In other words, an auxochrome in addition to the chromophore group transforms a colorless chromogen into a colored one.

From Project Gutenberg

While phenyldisulphide is colorless, when an auxochrome group is added, such as NH2, the compound is colored.

From Project Gutenberg