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

Secondary azo-dyes from benzidine and tolidine containing two dissimilar amines, phenols, &c., introduced by Pfaff.

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

Charged the paper with a benzidine dye and an alkaline iodide.

From Forty Centuries of Ink or, a chronological narrative concerning ink and its backgrounds, introducing incidental observations and deductions, parallels of time and color phenomena, bibliography, chemistry, poetical effusions, citations, anecdotes and curiosa together with some evidence respecting the evanescent character of most inks of to-day and an epitome of chemico-legal ink. by Carvalho, David Nunes

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