mercurous

American  

[mer-kyoor-uhs, mur-kyer-uhs] / mərˈkjʊər əs, ˈmɜr kjər əs /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. containing univalent mercury, Hg +1 or Hg 2 +2 .

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mercurous British  

/ ˈmɜːkjʊrəs /

adjective

1. of or containing mercury in the monovalent state; denoting a mercury(I) compound. Mercurous salts contain the divalent ion Hg² 2 ⁺

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mercurous Scientific  

/ mər-kyr′əs,mûr′kyər-əs /

1. Containing mercury, especially mercury with a valence of 1.

2. Compare mercuric

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Etymology

Origin of mercurous

First recorded in 1860–65; mercur(y) + -ous

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mercurous

The specific value of mercurous chloride is that it exerts the valuable properties of mercuric chloride in the safest and least irritant manner, as the active salt is continuously and freshly generated in small quantities.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 1 "Calhoun" to "Camoens" by Various

Being insoluble, mercurous chloride is precipitated as a white solid when a soluble chloride is added to a solution of mercurous nitrate: HgNO3 + NaCl = HgCl + NaNO3.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William

For this purpose the cold solution is treated with hydrochloric acid, which precipitates lead, silver and mercurous salts as chlorides.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various

Minor sources include the black or gray sulphide, metacinnabar, the native metal, and the white mercurous chloride, calomel.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)

Like mercurous chloride it is a white solid, but differs from it in that it is soluble in water.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William