mercurous

[mer-kyoor-uhs, mur-kyer-uhs]

adjective

Chemistry.

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

mercurous

/ ˈmɜːkjʊrəs /

adjective

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

mercurous

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

2. Compare mercuric

Word History and Origins

Origin of mercurous¹

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

Example Sentences

If "mercurous chloride," "calomel," "mercuric," "mercurio" or "mercury" is listed on the label, stop using the product immediately.

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Compounds.—Aurous oxide, Au2O, is obtained by cautiously adding potash to a solution of aurous bromide, or by boiling mixed solutions of auric chloride and mercurous nitrate.

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It is formed by the action of a solution of mercurous nitrate, containing some nitrous acid, on alcohol.

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In the wet way it is obtained by precipitating a mercurous salt with hydrochloric acid.

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In all these cases of partial decomposition some of the mercurous chloride—the calomel—is changed into soluble mercuric chloride and metallic mercury.

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