Anhydride

Description

Any chemical compound formed by the removal of water. An acid anhydride is a nonmetal oxide that forms an acid when combined with water, e.g., SO3 becomes H2SO4. A basic anhydride is a metal oxide that forms a base when combined with water, e.g., CaO becomes Ca(OH)2.

(Not to be confused with anhydrous or anhydrite.)

Authority

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990

• Theodore J. Reinhart, 'Glossary of Terms', Engineered Plastics, ASM International, 1988