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triphenylmethane

American  
[trahy-fen-l-meth-eyn, -feen-] / traɪˌfɛn lˈmɛθ eɪn, -ˌfin- /

noun

Chemistry.
  1. a colorless, crystalline, solid compound containing three benzene rings, C 19 H 16 , from which many dyes are derived.


triphenylmethane British  
/ traɪˌfiːnaɪlˈmiːθeɪn, -ˌfɛn- /

noun

  1. a colourless crystalline solid used for the preparation of many dyes. Formula: (C 6 H 5 ) 3 CH

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of triphenylmethane

First recorded in 1880–85; tri- + phenyl + methane

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Crystal violet, a triphenylmethane dye, is used to dye ink and textiles.

From Science Daily

Trimethylaniline, triphenylmethane and mononitrophenol are a few examples which happen to occur to the memory, and they are by no means the longest or queerest-sounding.

From Project Gutenberg

The reverse series of operations was also carried out by the Fischers, triphenylmethane being nitrated, and the nitro compound then reduced to triaminotriphenylmethane or paraleucaniline, which on careful oxidation is converted into the dye-stuff.

From Project Gutenberg

E. and O. Fischer showed that these compounds were derivatives of triphenylmethane and tolyldiphenylmethane respectively.

From Project Gutenberg

It is evident, from what has been said, that rosolic acid and its related colouring-matters are members of the triphenylmethane group.

From Project Gutenberg