monochloroacetic acid

noun

mono·​chlo·​ro·​ace·​tic acid -ˌklōr-ō-ə-ˌsēt-ik- 

variants also monochloracetic acid

-ˌklōr-ə-ˌsēt-ik- 

: a crystalline acid C₂H₃ClO₂ obtained by direct chlorination of acetic acid and used in organic synthesis (as of dyes, coumarin, pharmaceuticals, weed killers, insecticides, and cosmetics)

called also chloroacetic acid

compare trichloroacetic acid