orthophosphorous acid
Học thuậtThân thiện
A chemist carefully handles a bottle of orthophosphorous acid in the laboratory.
Definition
- Noun:
- A specific inorganic chemical compound: Orthophosphorous acid is a clear or yellow-colored, monobasic inorganic acid with the chemical formula H₃PO₂. It is also known as hypophosphorous acid.
Usage
- As a chemical reagent: Orthophosphorous acid is primarily used in laboratory and industrial chemical processes.
- The synthesis required orthophosphorous acid as a reducing agent.
- Describing its properties: The term is used to specify this particular acid, often distinguishing it from other phosphorus oxyacids like phosphoric acid.
- The solution was stabilized by adding orthophosphorous acid.
Advanced Usage
- In specialized nomenclature: In precise chemical terminology, "orthophosphorous acid" specifically refers to H₃PO₂, though the common name "hypophosphorous acid" is more frequently used. The "ortho-" prefix denotes the most hydrated form of the acid, though this acid only has one ionizable hydrogen (making it monobasic).
Variants and Related Words
- Hypophosphorous acid (n): The more common name for the same compound, H₃PO₂.
- Hypophosphorous acid is often preferred in industrial contexts.
- Phosphorous acid (H₃PO₃): A different, dibasic oxyacid of phosphorus. It is crucial not to confuse orthophosphorous acid (H₃PO₂) with phosphorous acid.
- Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄): The common, tribasic oxyacid of phosphorus.
Synonyms
- Hypophosphorous acid: The direct synonym for orthophosphorous acid.
Notes on Meaning
- Chemical Distinction: The primary meaning is as a specific chemical compound. It does not have metaphorical or everyday meanings outside of scientific contexts. Its defining characteristic is being a monobasic acid (donating one proton) of phosphorus in a lower oxidation state.
A chemist carefully handles a bottle of orthophosphorous acid in the laboratory.
Noun
- a clear or yellow monobasic acid (H3PO2)