Pyrogallol (Noun)
Meaning
A toxic white lustrous crystalline phenol used to treat certain skin diseases and as a photographic developer.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Pyrogallol is used as a reducing agent in photography, helping to develop and enhance images on film.
- Historically, pyrogallol has been employed to treat a variety of skin diseases, including leprosy and certain fungal infections.
- Pyrogallol has several synonyms, including gallol, and has been employed as an important precursor to many commercial phenols.
- Skin treatment preparations using pyrogallol can lead to excessive oxidative stress in individuals sensitive to phenols, indicating it may no longer be safe.
- High-grade pure pyrogallol remains hard to manufacture economically because some resulting hazardous material disposal would prevent adoption on commercial grounds