: a colorless liquid C4H6O3 with a pungent odor used in organic synthesis (as of cellulose acetate and aspirin)
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebIt can be synthesized through a chemical process using acetic anhydride, a high-inflammable and colorless liquid used to make fibers, plastics, pharmaceuticals, dyes, and explosives. Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2022 Finally, acetic anhydride is added to the delta-8 THC molecules to produce THC-O acetate. Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2022 The company had been selling acetic anhydride in convenient wine bottle-sized jugs in retail stores, which were traced back to Mexican drug labs. Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2021 The investigation was triggered by a Bloomberg Businessweek report that found that J.T. Baker-brand acetic anhydride had been easily diverted to make heroin in violation of Mexican law. Michael Smith, Bloomberg.com, 15 Sep. 2020 None appears to have fared better than acetic anhydride, which is required to make heroin and also used by Mexican cartels over the past decade to make meth. Cam Simpson, Bloomberg.com, 28 Aug. 2020
Word History
First Known Use
1855, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
acetic anhydride
noun
: a colorless liquid (CH3CO)2O with a pungent odor and lacrimatory and vesicant action that is used especially in making acetyl derivatives (as aspirin)