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 Word Forms

• auxochromic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of auxochrome¹

First recorded in 1890–95; auxo- + chrome

Example Sentences

On this theory colour is regarded as due to the presence of a “chromophore,” and dyeing power to an “auxochrome”; the latter by itself cannot produce colour or dyeing power, but it is only active in the presence of a chromophore, when it intensifies the colour and confers the property of dyeing.

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Also the relative position of the auxochrome to the chromophore influences colour, the ortho-position being generally the most powerful.

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