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.

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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

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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 .

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Etymology

Origin of benzidine

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

Example Sentences

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

Congo red, the first secondary azo-colour from benzidine, introduced by Böttiger.

From Coal and What We Get from It by Meldola, Raphael

Beginning of manufacture of cotton azo-dyes, and leading to the production of benzidine and tolidine on a large scale.

From Coal and What We Get from It by Meldola, Raphael

When these are reduced by acid reducing-agents, they become converted into diamido-bases which are known as benzidine and tolidine respectively.

From Coal and What We Get from It by Meldola, Raphael

These amido compounds, of which aniline, toluidine, benzidine, naphthylamine are familiar examples, are characterised by containing the molecular group NH2, which radicle is built up of the two elements nitrogen and hydrogen.

From The Dyeing of Cotton Fabrics A Practical Handbook for the Dyer and Student by Beech, Franklin