cuprous

/'kju:prəs/

Thân thiện

The chemist added cuprous oxide to the solution.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Of or containing copper with a valence of one: "Cuprous" describes compounds or ions in which copper exhibits a +1 oxidation state. It is the less common oxidation state compared to cupric (+2).

Usage

• The term "cuprous" is primarily used in scientific contexts, especially in chemistry and materials science, to specify the monovalent state of copper.
• It is often contrasted with "cupric," which refers to divalent copper (Cu²⁺).

Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) is a red powder used as a pigment and fungicide.
  • The experiment aimed to reduce the cupric ions to the cuprous state.

Advanced Usage

• "Cuprous ion": Refers specifically to the copper(I) ion, Cu⁺.
  • The stability of the cuprous ion in aqueous solution is limited.
• In compound names: Used systematically in chemical nomenclature (e.g., cuprous chloride for copper(I) chloride, CuCl).

Variants and Related Words

• Cupric (adj): Of or containing divalent copper (copper with a +2 oxidation state).
  • Cupric sulfate is a common laboratory reagent.
• Copper(I) (adj): Modern IUPAC nomenclature equivalent to "cuprous."
  • Copper(I) oxide is synonymous with cuprous oxide.

Synonyms

• Copper(I): The systematic chemical term for the +1 oxidation state of copper.

Notes

• The term "cuprous" is derived from "cuprum," the Latin word for copper, with the suffix "-ous" indicating the lower of two common oxidation states (cf. ferrous/ferric for iron).
• In modern chemical practice, the Stock nomenclature (e.g., copper(I)) is preferred, but "cuprous" remains in common use, particularly in industrial and older technical contexts.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. of or containing divalent copper

Từ đồng nghĩa

• cupric