Definition of benzyl bromide
: a colorless to slightly yellow corrosive liquid C7H7Br used in organic synthesis and formerly used as a war gas due to its irritant effects on skin and the mucous membranes
- At Bolimov, on 31 Jan. 1915, Haber's troops fired shells filled with liquid benzyl bromide, a tear gas suggested by Hans Tappan, another chemist, but at the extremely cold temperatures the liquid failed to vaporize.
- —Donald Richter, Chemical Soldiers, 1992
