cobaltous

A chemist adds cobaltous chloride to a beaker of water.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or containing cobalt in its divalent state (with a valence of +2), as opposed to cobaltic (trivalent cobalt, +3). In chemistry, this term specifically describes compounds where cobalt has an oxidation state of +2.

Usage Examples

• (A solution containing divalent cobalt ions.)
• (An oxide of divalent cobalt.)

Advanced Usage

• "Cobaltous ion": a cobalt ion with a +2 charge, often denoted as Co²⁺.

  • In the experiment, the cobaltous ion formed a complex with ammonia. (The divalent cobalt ion reacted.)

• "Cobaltous salts": salts containing divalent cobalt, such as cobaltous sulfate (CoSO₄) or cobaltous nitrate (Co(NO₃)₂).

  • Cobaltous salts are commonly used as catalysts in organic synthesis. (Salts of divalent cobalt.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cobaltic (adj): relating to or containing trivalent cobalt (oxidation state +3).
  • Cobaltic compounds are less stable than cobaltous ones. (Trivalent cobalt compounds.)
• Cobalt (n): the metallic element (Co) from which these terms derive.
  • Cobalt is essential for the production of certain alloys. (The base element.)

Synonyms

• Divalent cobalt: cobalt in the +2 oxidation state.
• Cobalt(II): a systematic chemical notation indicating the +2 state (e.g., cobalt(II) chloride).

Related Idioms

• — This term is a technical chemical adjective and has no idiomatic usage in everyday language.