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

Example Sentences

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

At the same time, other researchers engineered microbes to metabolize terephthalic acid into a variety of small molecules, including short acids.

From Science Daily • Nov. 1, 2023

While one of the cars still burning late Tuesday was carrying terephthalic acid, the substance used in making plastics, another was carrying fluoroacetic acid, Hohman said.

From Salon • May 29, 2013

Mr. Sease said four of the ones believed to have derailed carried terephthalic acid, which is used in the production of plastics and polyester, among other things.

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