osmium tetroxide


noun Chemistry.

a crystalline or amorphous, colorless, poisonous compound, OsO4, soluble in water, alcohol, and ether: used for microscopic staining, in photography, and as a catalyst in organic synthesis.
Also called osmic acid.

Origin of osmium tetroxide

First recorded in 1875–80

Words nearby osmium tetroxide

British Dictionary definitions for osmic acid

osmium tetroxide

noun

a yellowish poisonous water-soluble crystalline substance with a penetrating odour, used as a reagent and catalyst in organic synthesis. Formula: OsO 4

Medical definitions for osmic acid

osmic acid
[ ŏzmĭk ]

n.

A crystalline oxide of osmium that is a volatile caustic and strong oxidizing agent, the aqueous solution of which is used as a stain for fat and myelin and as a general fixative for electron microscopy.