Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
phthalocyanine

phthalocyanine

1 9.9
A blue or green dye that colors paint, ink, and plastic
  • noun
  • /ˌθæloʊˈsaɪəˌniːn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ftalocianina
  • Researchers are studying phthalocyanine compounds for use in solar cells.
  • phthalocyanine green
  • phthalocyanine blue
  • Phthalocyanine yellow

Examples

  • Many manufacturers prefer phthalocyanine pigments for their stability and vibrancy in various applications.

  • The vivid blue color of the paint comes from a phthalocyanine pigment.

  • Many inks and plastics are colored using phthalocyanine dyes because of their stability.

  • The artist used phthalocyanine blue in her painting.

  • Many phthalocyanines are used in the textile industry.

  • In my latest artwork, I decided to use phthalocyanine blue for the vibrant sky.

  • The artist recommended using phthalocyanine green for its rich, deep hue in the landscape painting.

Synonyms

azurine
vsphthalocyanine
  • Specialized
9.9

A blue pigment used in chemistry and industry

includes green shades and also reaches art, electronics, and medical uses

Surface Forms

phthalocyanine singular
phthalocyanines plural

Morphology

phthalocyanine = phthalo + cyanine (opaque) = phthalo + cyanine

Both constituents are technical chemical combining forms and the compound name denotes a specific class of pigments, not a meaning easily derived by a B1 learner from the parts.

Etymology

Phthalocyanine joins the chemical part phthalo and cyanine, which comes from 'cyan' meaning 'blue'. That's why phthalocyanine names man-made pigments and dyes that give strong 'blue' and 'green' colors in paints, inks and plastics.