Hexachloride

/ˌhɛksəˈklɔraɪd/ noun

Definition

A compound containing six atoms of chlorine bonded to another element, often used in pesticides or industrial chemistry.

Etymology

From 'hexa-' (six) plus 'chlor-' (chlorine) plus '-ide' (indicating a binary compound). This chemical nomenclature term was standardized in the 19th century as organic chemistry developed systematic naming.

Kelly Says

Lindane, a famous insecticide, is actually gamma-hexachloride—and the word itself is basically a recipe written in chemistry speak: six chlorine atoms plus something else equals bug death.

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