chloroacetic acid

noun

1. a colorless, crystalline, deliquescent, water-soluble powder, C2H3ClO2, usually derived from acetic acid by chlorination: used chiefly in the manufacture of dyes and other organic compounds.

noun

1. a colourless crystalline soluble strong acid prepared by chlorinating acetic acid and used as an intermediate in the manufacture of many chemicals; monochloracetic acid. Formula: CH 2 ClCOOH
2. either of two related compounds: dichloracetic acid, CHCl 2 COOH, or trichloracetic acid CCl 3 COOH