hexachlorophene

[hek-suh-klawr-uh-feen, -klohr-]

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.

hexachlorophene

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hexachlorophene¹

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.

Read more on New York Times

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

Read more on Seattle Times