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

In 1835 he published the results of an examination of the properties of water of crystallization as a constituent of salts.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 3 "Gordon, Lord George" to "Grasses" by Various

The hydrochlorate gives up a part of its water of crystallization at the ordinary temperature under a desiccator over sulphuric acid, and the whole of it upon heating.—Chemist and Druggist.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 315, January 14, 1882 by Various

When the first layer has reached a depth of a few thousand feet the rocks which contain the water of crystallization are subjected to a terrific heat.

From Complete Story of the San Francisco Horror by Linthicum, Richard

Composition.—Conchinamine may be represented by the formula C19H24N2O2, without water of crystallization.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 315, January 14, 1882 by Various