water of crystallization

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. water of hydration, formerly thought necessary to crystallization: now usually regarded as affecting crystallization only as it forms new molecular combinations.

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water of crystallization British  

noun

1. water present in the crystals of certain compounds. It is chemically combined in stoichiometric amounts, usually by coordinate or hydrogen bonds, but can often be easily expelled

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water of crystallization Scientific  

1. Water in a crystal structure that is chemically combined with the other elements in the crystal. The water of crystallization is necessary for the maintenance of crystalline properties, but it can be removed by heat.

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Etymology

Origin of water of crystallization

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Using four 20-in. mirrors, he focuses sunlight on powdered pitchstone in a glass laboratory tube until its water of crystallization steams off.

From Time Magazine Archive

When heated borax at first swells up greatly, owing to the expulsion of the water of crystallization, and then melts to a clear glass.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William

When a hydrated salt is dissolved, does it retain its water of crystallization, or does this latter cease to be distinguishable from the solvent water?

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 561, October 2, 1886 by Various

Thomsen himself expressly states that he regards the dissolved state as one in which the conditions are comparable for all substances; this would be impossible if water of crystallization were present.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 561, October 2, 1886 by Various

Two layers of solution are formed, one ether and the other water coming from the water of crystallization.

From A Brief Account of Radio-activity by Venable, Francis Preston