OSMIUM TETROXIDE Meaning and
Definition
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Osmium tetroxide (OsO4) is a highly toxic, volatile chemical compound that is primarily used in analytical chemistry and organic synthesis. It is a dark, volatile solid that exists as a colorless gas at room temperature when in its pure form.
Osmium tetroxide is an oxidizing agent and is able to oxidize a wide range of organic compounds. It is highly reactive and can react violently with combustible materials, especially with those containing hydrogen or carbon-carbon double bonds. This compound has a characteristic pungent odor, often described as resembling chlorine, which can be detected at very low concentrations.
In analytical chemistry, osmium tetroxide is commonly used as a staining reagent for biological samples, particularly in electron microscopy. It is also utilized in various staining techniques for the visualization of lipids, unsaturated hydrocarbons, and certain types of polymers.
Due to its toxic and hazardous nature, osmium tetroxide should be handled with extreme caution. It poses significant health risks upon inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, and can cause severe eye damage. Adequate personal protective equipment, such as gloves, goggles, and a respirator, should be used when working with this compound. Proper ventilation and containment measures are crucial to ensure the safety of individuals working with osmium tetroxide.
Common Misspellings for OSMIUM TETROXIDE
- ismium tetroxide
- ksmium tetroxide
- lsmium tetroxide
- psmium tetroxide
- 0smium tetroxide
- 9smium tetroxide
- oamium tetroxide
- ozmium tetroxide
- oxmium tetroxide
- odmium tetroxide
- oemium tetroxide
- owmium tetroxide
- osnium tetroxide
- oskium tetroxide
- osjium tetroxide
- osmuum tetroxide
- osmjum tetroxide
- osmkum tetroxide
- osmoum tetroxide
- osm9um tetroxide
Etymology of OSMIUM TETROXIDE
The word "osmium" derives from the Greek word "osmē", meaning "odor" or "smell". This is because osmium has a characteristic pungent odor when it is in its elemental form. The term "tetroxide" comes from the Latin word "tetra", meaning "four", and "oxide", which refers to a compound containing oxygen. In the case of osmium tetroxide (OsO4), it is a compound composed of four oxygen atoms bonded to a single osmium atom, hence the name "osmium tetroxide".
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