triˈphenyl-Chem.[f. tri- 5 + phenyl.]A prefix denoting that three phenyl groups, C6H5, are substituted for three hydrogen atoms in the substance designated by the rest of the name; e.g.triphenylacetic acid, C(C6H5)3.CO2H, from acetic acid, CH3.CO2H. So triphenylmethane, CH(C6H5)3, from methane, CH4; triphenylmethyl-, C(C6H5)—, from methyl, CH3. But this term may also indicate the presence of three phenyl groups and one methyl group, (C6H5)3(CH3); triphenylcarbinol, C(OH)(C6H5)3, from carbinol, CH3OH; triphenylamine, formerly triphenylia, N(C6H5)3, from ammonia, NH3; triphenylrosaniline, C(OH){ob}C6H4.NH(C6H5){cb}2{ob}C6H3(CH3).NH(C6H5){cb}, from rosaniline, C(OH){ob}C6H4.NH2{cb}2{ob}C6H3(CH3).NH2{cb}; the hydrochloric acid derivative of this is a blue dye-stuff. So also triˈphenylateda., containing three phenyl groups.1858Fownes Elem.Chem. (ed. 7) 601 Triphenylamine.1862Miller Elem.Chem. (ed. 2) III. 444 Triphenylia.1871Jrnl.Chem.Soc. XXIV. 143 An alcoholic solution of triphenylguanidine absorbs large quantities of cyanogen.1880Friswell in Jrnl.Soc. Arts 445 The hydrochloride of triphenylrosaniline.1893Thorpe Dict.App.Chem. III. 874 Triphenylrosanilines. The triphenylated derivatives of ordinary rosaniline may be subdivided into two classes: crystalline and uncrystallisable blues.1894Muir & Morley Watts' Dict.Chem. IV. 2 Tri-phenyl-benzene C24H18i.e. C6H3Ph3.
triphenyl- combining form Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary tri- + phenyl : three phenyl groups in the molecule