arsenide
Definition
Noun: A chemical compound formed between arsenic and a more electropositive element (typically a metal). In such compounds, arsenic is considered to be in an anionic state, often with an oxidation state of -3.
Usage
The term "arsenide" is used specifically in chemistry and materials science to denote a binary compound where arsenic is the more electronegative component. It is typically part of a compound's systematic name.
Examples
- Gallium arsenide is a vital semiconductor material.
- The mineral nickeline is primarily nickel arsenide.
- Indium arsenide has properties useful in infrared detectors.
Advanced Usage
- Zincblende/Wurtzite Structures: Many arsenides, like gallium arsenide (GaAs), crystallize in the zincblende crystal structure, which is crucial for their electronic properties.
- Interstitial Compounds: Some transition metal arsenides can have arsenic atoms occupying the spaces (interstices) between metal atoms in the crystal lattice.
Variants and Related Words
- Arsenate (n): A salt or ester of arsenic acid, containing the ion AsO₄³⁻.
- Arsenite (n): A salt or ester of arsenous acid, containing the ion AsO₃³⁻.
- Arsine (n): A toxic gas with the formula AsH₃, which can be considered the hydride of arsenic.
Synonyms
- Arsenic compound (This is a broader, less specific synonym.)
Notes on Different Meanings
The word "arsenide" has a single, precise meaning in scientific contexts. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative uses. It refers exclusively to the chemical compound class.
Noun
-
a compound of arsenic with a more positive element
