ni'tril

Syn.: cyanid. A compound of CN with an alkyl radicle, in which the nitrogen is trivalent. ni'trite. A salt of nitrous acid. ni'tro-. Combining form of Gr., nitron, niter; used as a prefix to denote (1) the combination of nitric acid with an organic acid; (2) the presence of the nitro-grouping NO2 in place of hydrogen. nitrobacter nitrobacteria. (ni-tro-bak'ter). Same as nitrobacteria (ni"tro-bak-te're-ah). Soil bacteria, that convert ammonia and other nitrogenous substances into nitrates and nitrites. nitrobenzene (ni"tro-ben'zen). C6H5NO2; an oily substance which has an odor resembling that of bitter almond oil. Used in large quantities for the preparation of dyes. nitrocellulin, nitrocellulose (ni-tro-sel'ulin, ni-tro-sel'u-lose). A substitution compound of cellulose. Monon', G>H9(N02)- Os, din' (pyroxylin), CgHsCNG^Os, and Win' (gun-cotton), CerLtNG^sOs, are known. The latter is used in the manufacture of smokele powder. Collodium is an alcoholic ethereal solution of pyroxylin. Celluloid contains nitrocellulose. nitro-ethane C2H5NO2. (ni-tro-eth'an). A liquid, ni'troform. An acid body, CH(N02)3, analogous in composition to chloroform and iodoform.