Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Noting an acid, a colorless compound, prepared by the oxidation of various paradi-substitution derivatives of benzene. It crystallizes in needles and sublimes without melting. Also called paraphthalic acid.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a dibasic acid of the aromatic series, metameric with phthalic acid, and obtained, as a tasteless white crystalline powder, by the oxidation of oil of turpentine; -- called also paraphthalic acid. Cf. phthalic.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective organic chemistry Pertaining to, or derived from terephthalic acid or its derivatives

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word terephthalic.

Examples

  • The MEG is then mixed with terephthalic acid to create PET plastic.

    New Coke Bottles Made From Sugar Cane, Soda Still Made From Corn - The Consumerist 2010

  • Sure enough, the bacteria took a liking to O'Connor's snack and turned the solid--terephthalic acid--into PHA.

    Sustainable: Plastic 2009

  • Sure enough, the bacteria took a liking to O'Connor's snack and turned the solid--terephthalic acid--into PHA.

    Sustainable: More Adventures With Plastic-Eating Bacteria 2008

  • Purified terephthalic acid, or PTA, is a raw material for polyester fiber and food and drink packaging.

    Formosa Chemicals' first-half net 2008

  • Sure enough, the bacteria took a liking to O'Connor's snack and turned the solid--terephthalic acid--into PHA.

    Sustainable: September 2008 2008

  • The growth of polyester fiber for all kinds of uses depended on the development of a commercially viable process for making terephthalic acid, an important feedstock for the production of polyester.

    Profiting From Innovation William G. Howard 1992

  • The growth of polyester fiber for all kinds of uses depended on the development of a commercially viable process for making terephthalic acid, an important feedstock for the production of polyester.

    Profiting From Innovation William G. Howard 1992

  • The growth of polyester fiber for all kinds of uses depended on the development of a commercially viable process for making terephthalic acid, an important feedstock for the production of polyester.

    Profiting From Innovation William G. Howard 1992

  • The growth of polyester fiber for all kinds of uses depended on the development of a commercially viable process for making terephthalic acid, an important feedstock for the production of polyester.

    Profiting From Innovation William G. Howard 1992

  • The growth of polyester fiber for all kinds of uses depended on the development of a commercially viable process for making terephthalic acid, an important feedstock for the production of polyester.

    Profiting From Innovation William G. Howard 1992

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.