meta-dichlorobenzene: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2+Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “meta-dichlorobenzene” mean?
A chemical compound, specifically an isomer of dichlorobenzene where the two chlorine atoms are positioned at the 1 and 3 carbon atoms on the benzene ring.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chemical compound, specifically an isomer of dichlorobenzene where the two chlorine atoms are positioned at the 1 and 3 carbon atoms on the benzene ring.
It is an aromatic organic compound commonly used as an intermediate in chemical synthesis, a solvent, and in certain industrial applications such as dyes and deodorizers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both dialects use the same systematic IUPAC name. Occasionally '1,3-dichlorobenzene' is used interchangeably and is preferred in both dialects.
Connotations
Purely scientific/technical; no cultural connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse, appearing almost exclusively in chemistry, industrial, and environmental science contexts. No significant regional variation in frequency.
Grammar
How to Use “meta-dichlorobenzene” in a Sentence
The reaction required [chemical] meta-dichlorobenzene.They separated meta-dichlorobenzene from the ortho isomer.[Substance] is synthesized from meta-dichlorobenzene.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meta-dichlorobenzene” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The meta-dichlorobenzene fraction was collected.
- A meta-dichlorobenzene derivative was synthesised.
American English
- The meta-dichlorobenzene fraction was collected.
- A meta-dichlorobenzene derivative was synthesized.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in procurement, safety data sheets, and logistics for chemical manufacturing.
Academic
Common in organic chemistry textbooks, research papers on aromatic substitution, and environmental studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used. An unknown term to the general public.
Technical
Used in chemical engineering processes, analytical chemistry (e.g., GC-MS), and material safety documentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meta-dichlorobenzene”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meta-dichlorobenzene”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meta-dichlorobenzene”
- Misspelling as 'metadichlorobenzene' (should have a hyphen).
- Pronouncing 'benzene' as /bɛnˈzeɪn/ (incorrect) instead of /ˈbɛnziːn/.
- Confusing its properties with the more common para-isomer.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Like many industrial organic chemicals, it can be harmful. It may be irritating, toxic if ingested or inhaled, and harmful to the environment. Always consult the specific Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS) for proper handling.
They are isomers. The chlorine atoms are on carbon atoms 1 and 3 in the meta-isomer, and on carbons 1 and 4 (opposite) in the para-isomer. This leads to different physical properties (melting point, boiling point) and chemical reactivity.
No. It is not a consumer product. It is an industrial chemical purchased from specialist chemical suppliers for professional or research use.
The hyphen is standard in chemical nomenclature when using a positional prefix (meta-, ortho-, para-) before a compound name to indicate it is a specific isomer. It clarifies that 'meta-' modifies 'dichlorobenzene'.
A chemical compound, specifically an isomer of dichlorobenzene where the two chlorine atoms are positioned at the 1 and 3 carbon atoms on the benzene ring.
Meta-dichlorobenzene is usually technical/scientific in register.
Meta-dichlorobenzene: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛtə daɪˌklɔːrəʊˈbɛnziːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛtə daɪˌklɔːroʊˈbɛnziːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'META' means 'middle' in Greek. In 'meta-dichlorobenzene', the chlorine atoms are separated by one carbon, like they're not neighbours but also not opposite—they're in a middle relationship on the benzene ring.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for encountering the term 'meta-dichlorobenzene'?