terephthalic acid

American  

[ter-ef-thal-ik, ter-] / ˈtɛr ɛfˈθæl ɪk, ˌtɛr- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, water-insoluble solid, C 8 H 6 O 2 , the para isomer of phthalic acid: used chiefly in the manufacture of resins and textile fibers.

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terephthalic acid British  

/ ˌtɛrɛfˈθælɪk /

noun

1. a white crystalline water-insoluble carboxylic acid used in making polyester resins such as Terylene; 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid. Formula: C 6 H 4 (COOH) 2

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Etymology

Origin of terephthalic acid

First recorded in 1855–60; tere(bic) + phthalic

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

terephthalic acid

Hengli eventually expanded into other textiles, including polyester, which required petroleum-based raw materials such as purified terephthalic acid that China imported from abroad.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

In experiments, the team found that attaching the engineered microbial cells to alginate hydrogel beads improved their efficiency, and up to 79% of the terephthalic acid was converted into adipic acid.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 1, 2023

Gary Sease, a spokesman for CSX Transportation Inc., said four of the cars believed derailed carried terephthalic acid, which is used in the production of plastics and polyester, among other things.

From Salon ● May 29, 2013

One of the cars still burning was carrying terephthalic acid, and another was carrying fluoroacetic acid, Chief Hohman said.

From New York Times ● May 29, 2013

By reducing terephthalic acid with sodium amalgam, care being taken to neutralize the caustic soda simultaneously formed by passing in carbon dioxide, Δ2.5 dihydroterephthalic acid is obtained; this results from the splitting of a para-linkage.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various

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