Edit page | Page history | Printable version

picric

(Science: chemistry) Pertaining to, or designating, a strong organic acid (called picric acid), intensely bitter.

Picric acid is obtained by treating phenol with strong nitric acid, as a brilliant yellow crystalline substance, C6H2(NO2)3.OH. It is used in dyeing silk and wool, and also in the manufacture of explosives, as it is very unstable when heated.

Synonym: trinitrophenol, and formerly carbazotic acid.

Origin: Gr. Bitter.