Dichloroformate

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A chemical compound formed from a reaction of dichloroform with an alcohol or hydroxyl group, often used in organic synthesis as an intermediate
2. A reactive agent in organic chemistry, typically utilized for the formation of esters or carbonates when combined with alcohols
3. A substance characterized by the presence of two chlorine atoms and a formate group, playing a role in various chemical reactions and synthetic pathways

Etymology: The "formate" in this name goes back to ants. Formic acid was first obtained by distilling red ants, and its name comes from Latin "formica," meaning "ant." Chemists later named the salts and esters of that acid "formates," and the "-ate" ending marks a compound derived from an acid whose name ends in "-ic." The rest of the name is a systematic construction. "Chloro-" comes from Greek "chlōros," meaning "pale green," a nod to the colour of chlorine gas, and "di-" comes from Greek "dis," meaning "twice," indicating two chlorine atoms. Put together, the name tells a chemist exactly which atoms are attached to the formate core, so it is a descriptive label rather than a word with a story of its own.

Synonyms: dichloroformic acid ester