Crossword Genius

Dry, odious mix he'd prepared for a reagent (6,9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sodium hydroxide

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'a reagent' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both substances as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'dry odious mix he'd prepared' is the wordplay.
'prepared' indicates an anagram.
'dry'+'odious'+'mix'+'hed'='dryodiousmixhed'
'dryodiousmixhed' with letters rearranged gives 'SODIUM HYDROXIDE'.

'for' is the link.

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I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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