hexachlorophene

American  

[hek-suh-klawr-uh-feen, -klohr-] / ˌhɛk səˈklɔr əˌfin, -ˈkloʊr- /

noun

1. a white, crystalline powder, C 13 Cl 6 H 6 O 2 , insoluble in water: used as an antibacterial agent chiefly in toothpastes and soaps.

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hexachlorophene British  

/ ˌhɛksəˈklɔːrəfiːn /

noun

1. an insoluble almost odourless white bactericidal substance used in antiseptic soaps, deodorants, etc. Formula: (C 6 HCl 3 OH) 2 CH 2

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Etymology

Origin of hexachlorophene

1945–50; hexa- + chloro- ² + -phene, word-final variant of phen- ( def. )

Example Sentences

He said it is an older chemical, part of the family of organochlorines, like DDT and hexachlorophene, some of which were eventually banned.

From New York Times

Ironically, triclosan first became widely used because it was considered safer than an older antibacterial ingredient, hexachlorophene.

From Seattle Times