Chem. [f. TRI- 5 + OXY-2.] A formative denoting the presence of three atoms of oxygen in a compound; most commonly used as a substitute for trihydroxy-, denoting that three hydroxyl groups, OH, have replaced three hydrogen atoms in the compound designated by the rest of the name.
Thus pyrogallol, C6H3(OH)3, is one of the three trioxybenzenes, being derived from benzene, C6H6, by the replacement of three hydrogen atoms by three OH groups.
1863. Fownes’ Chem. (ed. 9), 491. Trioxethylenamine.
1880. Miller, Elem. Chem., III. 552. Trioxynaphthalene: C10H5(OH)3, is formed in a similar manner.
1900. Smith, Richter’s Org. Chem. (ed. 3), II. 230. Trioxybenzoic acids, (HO)3C6H2CO2H. Three of the six possible isomerides are known.
