quinquivalency

A chemist draws a diagram showing the quinquivalency of nitrogen in this compound.

Definition

Noun (chemistry): The state or property of having a valence of five; the capacity of an element or atom to combine with or replace five atoms of hydrogen or its equivalent.

Usage Examples

• (Phosphorus has five valence electrons.)

Advanced Usage

• "Quinquivalency" is a specific technical term primarily used in inorganic and theoretical chemistry to describe the bonding capacity of an atom.
  • The quinquivalency of antimony explains its ability to form pentavalent salts.

Variants and Related Words

• Quinquivalent (adj): Having a valence of five; pentavalent.
  • Quinquivalent nitrogen is rare but exists in compounds like ammonium nitrate under specific conditions.
• Quinquivalence (n): An alternative form of quinquivalency, meaning the same property.

Synonyms

• Pentavalence: The property of having a valence of five (more commonly used term).
• Pentavalent state: The condition of being pentavalent.

Related Idioms

No common idioms exist for this technical term.

Phrasal Verbs

No phrasal verbs are associated with this word.