benzidine

American  

[ben-zi-deen, -din] / ˈbɛn zɪˌdin, -dɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a grayish, crystalline, slightly water-soluble, basic compound, C 12 H 12 N 2 , usually derived from nitrobenzene: used chiefly in the synthesis of certain azo dyes, especially Congo red.

---

benzidine British  

/ -dɪn, ˈbɛnzɪˌdiːn /

noun

1. a grey or reddish poisonous crystalline powder that is used mainly in the manufacture of dyes, esp Congo red. Formula: NH 2 (C 6 H 4 ) 2 NH 2

---

benzidine Scientific  

/ bĕn′zĭ-dēn′ /

1. A yellowish, white, or reddish-gray crystalline powder that is produced synthetically and is carcinogenic. It is used in making dyes, as a reagent, and in detecting blood stains. Chemical formula: C ₁₂ H ₁₂ N ₂ .

---

Etymology

Origin of benzidine

First recorded in 1875–80; benz- + -id ³ + -ine ²

Example Sentences

The EPA has declared one commonly used clothing dye ingredient, benzidine, and its derivatives to be “reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens.”

From Scientific American

Why this is Great: Yellow 6, one of the colors currently being used in the pasta dish, contains benzidine and 4-amino-biphenyl, two known human carcinogens.

From Time

Considered from the chemical point of 747 view, they are mostly alkali salts of sulphonated tetrazo colours obtained by diazotizing certain diamido compounds, e.g. benzidine, diamido-stilbene, &c., and uniting the products thus obtained with various amines or phenols.

From Project Gutenberg

If the para-nitraniline used in the foregoing process is replaced by meta-nitraniline, a yellowish-orange colour is obtained; with α-naphthylamine, a claret-red; with amido-azo-toluene, a brownish red; with benzidine, a dark chocolate; with dianisidine, a dark blue; and so on.

From Project Gutenberg

Among them: > The Labor Department's 1973 declaration of zero tolerance levels in industry for ten widely used chemicals, including benzidine and beta-naphthylamine.

From Time Magazine Archive