Clashing as mad chemist dispensed liberally (10)

I believe the answer is:

mismatched

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'clashing' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'mad chemist dispensed liberally' is the wordplay.
'mad chemist' anagrams to 'MISMATCHED'.
But, I am unsure how the anagram is indicated.

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for mismatched that I've seen is " not given fair opposition".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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