acid radical

noun

Definition of acid radical

1 : the negative ion (as the sulfate ion SO₄⁻⁻) of an acid : anion —now used especially by analysts

2 : a radical formed by removal of all hydroxyl or analogous groups (as mercapto) from an acid benzoyl C₆H₅CO− is the acid radical corresponding to benzoic acid C₆H₅COOH sulfuryl >SO₂ is the acid radical of sulfuric acid H₂SO₄ — compare acyl

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acid precipitation

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The first known use of acid radical was in 1788

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