biphenyl
[ bahy-fen-l, -feen-l ]
/ baɪˈfɛn l, -ˈfin l /
noun Chemistry.
a water-insoluble, pleasant-smelling, colorless powder or white scales, C12H10, composed of two phenyl groups, from which benzidine dyes are derived: used chiefly as a heat-transfer agent and in organic synthesis.
Also called
diphenyl,
phenylbenzene.
Words nearby biphenyl
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bipetalous,
biphasic,
biphasic pill,
biphenotypy,
biphenyl,
biphetamine,
bipinnaria,
bipinnate,
biplane,
bipod
British Dictionary definitions for biphenyl
biphenyl
/ (baɪˈfɛnəl, -ˈfiː-) /
noun
a white or colourless crystalline solid used as a heat-transfer agent, as a fungicide, as an antifungal food preservative (E230) on the skins of citrus fruit, and in the manufacture of dyes, etc. Formula: C 6 H 5 C 6 H 5
any substituted derivative of biphenyl
Also called:
diphenyl
Medical definitions for biphenyl
biphenyl
[ bī-fĕn′əl, -fē′nəl ]
n.
A colorless crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon used in fungicides and in organic synthesis.
diphenyl