Dicacodyl

/daɪˈkækədɪl/ noun

Definition

A chemical compound containing two cacodyl groups (toxic organic arsenic units), studied in early organic chemistry.

Etymology

From di- (two) + cacodyl (from Greek kakodes, smelling bad, originally used for foul-smelling arsenic compounds). This rare compound reflects 19th-century chemists' interest in arsenic organics.

Kelly Says

Dicacodyl represents a dark chapter in chemistry history—researchers were obsessed with arsenic compounds partly for medicine, partly for weapons, pushing the boundaries of what was safe to study.

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