hydrogen chloride

American  

noun

1. a colorless gas, HCl, having a pungent odor: the anhydride of hydrochloric acid.

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hydrogen chloride British  

noun

1. a colourless pungent corrosive gas obtained by the action of sulphuric acid on sodium chloride: used in making vinyl chloride and other organic chemicals. Formula: HCl

2. an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride; hydrochloric acid

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hydrogen chloride Scientific  

1. A colorless, corrosive, suffocating gas used in making plastics and in many industrial processes. When mixed with water, it forms hydrochloric acid. Chemical formula: HCl.

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Etymology

Origin of hydrogen chloride

First recorded in 1865–70

Compare meaning

How does hydrogen-chloride compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hydrogen chloride vs. hydrochloric acid

Example Sentences

In the case of large, multiple-battery fires, they can burn for days, all the while releasing toxic gases such as hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2024

Vinyl chloride is also dangerous when burned, as it produces toxic gasses like phosgene gas and hydrogen chloride.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2023

Officials warned when they burned it that two concerning gases — hydrogen chloride and phosgene, which was used as a weapon in World War I — might be released in the process.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 31, 2023

When burned, vinyl chloride decomposes into gases that include hydrogen chloride and phosgene.

From New York Times • Feb. 28, 2023

The former is connected to a hydrogen chloride generator, the latter to a catch-bottle and some system for absorbing any excess of hydrogen chloride.

From Organic Syntheses by Conant, James Bryant