chaotropic

C3H4A1O1T1R1O1P3I1C3

adjective

That disrupts hydrogen bonds, especially within or between biological molecules.

“The chaotropic salt inactivated the catalytic function of the peptide.”

Opposite
kosmotropic
Scrabble 19
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Meanings

adjectivechaotropic (comparative more chaotropic, superlative most chaotropic)

comparative more chaotropic · superlative most chaotropic

  1. physicalbiochemistryThat disrupts hydrogen bonds, especially within or between biological molecules.

    The chaotropic salt inactivated the catalytic function of the peptide.

nounchaotropic (plural chaotropics)

plural chaotropics

  1. physicalbiochemistrySuch a substance

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
kosmotropic

Origin

From chao- + -tropic. By surface analysis, chao- + -trope + -ic.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

chaotropic. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chaotropic

MLA

“chaotropic.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chaotropic. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “chaotropic,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chaotropic.

Source: chaotropic on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.