CACODYL Meaning and
Definition
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Cacodyl is a noun that refers to a highly poisonous and volatile liquid compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, and arsenic, with the chemical formula (CH3)2As-As(CH3)2. It is also known as diarsenic tetramethyl, and it is a member of the organoarsenic compounds class.
Cacodyl has a unique and pungent smell, which has been described as resembling rotten garlic. The compound is highly flammable and can easily ignite, producing a dense plume of toxic and irritating fumes. It was first synthesized by the French chemist Louis Claude Cadet using arsenic trioxide and trimethyl borate in 1760.
Due to its extreme toxicity, cacodyl was primarily used as a laboratory reagent and precursor to other chemical compounds. Additionally, it has been historically employed as an insecticide and wood preservative, although its use in these applications has largely been discontinued due to its hazardous nature.
Exposure to cacodyl can be extremely dangerous and has severe health implications. It is known to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and can lead to respiratory distress. Long-term exposure can have even more deleterious effects, including damage to the kidneys, liver, and the central nervous system.
In conclusion, cacodyl is a highly toxic and volatile liquid compound that is composed of carbon, hydrogen, and arsenic. Due to its extreme toxicity, it is primarily used in laboratory settings and has various health hazards associated with it.
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An evil-smelling oil, As (CH3)4, resulting from the distillation together of arsenous acid and potassium acetate.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CACODYL
Etymology of CACODYL
The word "cacodyl" can be traced back to Greek and Latin roots. Its etymology is as follows:
The term "cacodyl" comes from the Greek word "kakodes", meaning "bad smell" or "foul odor". The Greek root word "kakodes" is derived from "kakos", meaning "bad" or "evil", and "odes", meaning "smell" or "odor".
In the 18th century, the French chemist Louis-Bernard Guyton de Morveau coined the term "cacodyl" to describe a series of compounds that contained the element arsenic. The name was chosen due to the repulsive, garlic-like smell these compounds emitted.
Ultimately, the word "cacodyl" combines Greek and Latin elements to create a name that reflects the unpleasant odor associated with the compounds it designates.
Similar spelling word for CACODYL
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