AUXOCHROME Meaning and
Definition
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An auxochrome refers to a chemical group or atom that is responsible for modifying or enhancing the color of a compound when it is combined with a chromophore. Derived from the Greek words "auxo" meaning "increase" and "chroma" meaning "color," the auxochrome is an electron-donating or electron-withdrawing group that alters the absorption spectrum of a chromophore, leading to changes in the compound's color.
In the case of dyes and pigments, auxochromes play a crucial role as they allow for the fine-tuning and expansion of the range of available colors. By either intensifying or shifting the absorption of light, auxochromes contribute to the overall vibrancy and hue of a compound. Electron-donating auxochromes, such as amino (-NH2) and hydroxyl (-OH) groups, enhance the chromophore's ability to absorb light by providing additional electrons, resulting in a color shift towards longer wavelengths. Conversely, electron-withdrawing auxochromes, such as nitro (-NO2) and carbonyl (-C=O) groups, reduce the chromophore's electron density, causing a color shift towards shorter wavelengths.
Furthermore, auxochromes also affect other properties of compounds, including solubility and chemical reactivity. They can influence intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, and alter the compound's stability and behavior in various environments. Therefore, understanding the role of auxochromes is crucial in the fields of organic chemistry, materials science, and the development of pigments, dyes, and colorants.
Common Misspellings for AUXOCHROME
- auyochrome
- auochrome
- audochrome
- aupochrome
- zuxochrome
- suxochrome
- wuxochrome
- quxochrome
- ayxochrome
- ahxochrome
- ajxochrome
- aixochrome
- a8xochrome
- a7xochrome
- auzochrome
- aucochrome
- ausochrome
- auxichrome
- auxkchrome
- auxlchrome
Etymology of AUXOCHROME
The word "auxochrome" is derived from the Greek words "auxon" meaning "to increase" or "to augment", and "chroma" meaning "color". It was coined by the Russian chemist and doctor Aleksandr Mikhailovich Zaitsev in the late 19th century. The term was used to describe chemical compounds or groups that, when attached to a chromophore (a part of a molecule responsible for its color), would enhance or modify its color. The concept of auxochromes helped in understanding the color variations in organic compounds and played a significant role in the development of dye chemistry.
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