chloroacetic acid

noun

a colorless, crystalline, deliquescent, water-soluble powder, C2H3ClO2, usually derived from acetic acid by chlorination: used chiefly in the manufacture of dyes and other organic compounds.

Also chloracetic acid.

Also called monochloroacetic acid.

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British Dictionary definitions for chloroacetic acid

chloroacetic acid

chloracetic acid (ˌklɔːrəˈsiːtɪk)

noun

a colourless crystalline soluble strong acid prepared by chlorinating acetic acid and used as an intermediate in the manufacture of many chemicals; monochloracetic acid. Formula: CH 2 ClCOOH

either of two related compounds: dichloracetic acid, CHCl 2 COOH, or trichloracetic acid CCl 3 COOH

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