osmium tetroxide

noun

Chemistry.

1. a crystalline or amorphous, colorless, poisonous compound, OsO 4 , soluble in water, alcohol, and ether: used for microscopic staining, in photography, and as a catalyst in organic synthesis.

osmium tetroxide

noun

1. a yellowish poisonous water-soluble crystalline substance with a penetrating odour, used as a reagent and catalyst in organic synthesis. Formula: OsO 4

Word History and Origins

Origin of osmium tetroxide¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Police allege that Phillips possessed osmium tetroxide for a dangerous purpose.

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Police say Christopher B. Phillips, 42, possessed a chemical called osmium tetroxide for a dangerous purpose.

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For secondary fixation, we used 2% osmium tetroxide in 1.25% sodium bicarbonate for 2–3 h at room temperature.

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After a secondary fixation in 1% osmium tetroxide, 1.5% potassium ferricyanide, samples were dehydrated through a graded ethanol series, and embedded in situ in an epon analogue resin.

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