Hexahydric

/ˌhɛksəˈhaɪdrɪk/ adjective

Definition

Containing six hydrogen atoms or six replaceable hydrogen atoms in a chemical compound.

Etymology

From Greek 'hexa-' (six) + 'hydro-' (water, hydrogen) + Latin '-ic' (adjective suffix). The term emerged in 19th-century chemistry to describe molecular compounds with exactly six hydrogen atoms.

Kelly Says

Hexahydric alcohols like sorbitol are actually used as sugar substitutes in your candy and toothpaste—the 'six hydrogens' make them sweet without being the same as regular sugar!

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