The word "molybdous" is a chemical term used to describe an element in a specific oxidation state. It is pronounced /məˈlɪbdəs/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress on the second syllable. The spelling of the word comes from the element molybdenum, which has the chemical symbol Mo. The -ous suffix indicates a lower oxidation state, in contrast to the -ic suffix which indicates a higher oxidation state. Molybdous is an important term in the field of chemistry, particularly in discussions of coordination compounds and catalysis.
Molybdous is an adjective that refers to the chemical element molybdenum, denoted by the symbol Mo on the periodic table. It describes an oxidation state of molybdenum in its compounds where it is divalent, meaning it has a +2 charge. Molybdenum, a transition metal, can exist in multiple oxidation states, with molybdous representing one of the lower states.
In chemistry, molybdous compounds typically exhibit distinctive properties. It indicates that molybdenum has lost two electrons and has a valence electron configuration similar to that of noble gases like helium and neon. This oxidation state allows molybdenum to form various chemical bonds. Molybdous compounds are often characterized by their ability to undergo redox reactions, meaning they can easily gain or lose electrons to other chemical species.
The term molybdous is commonly used in inorganic and coordination chemistry to describe compounds or complexes where molybdenum has a +2 charge. These compounds may have diverse applications in industry, catalysis, and biological systems. Molybdous compounds are also known for their color. For instance, molybdous oxide is a blue solid, while molybdous chloride appears green. The study and application of molybdous compounds have contributed to advancements in fields such as materials science, medicine, and environmental science.
Relating to molybdenum, molybdenous.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "molybdous" is derived from the chemical element "molybdenum". The term "molybdenum" itself has roots in ancient Greek. It is believed to have originated from the Greek word "molybdos", meaning "lead". This is most likely due to the resemblance of molybdenum ores to lead minerals. Over time, the word evolved to "molybdenum", and the term "molybdous" was then formed by adding the suffix "-ous", which denotes a lower oxidation state in chemistry. Hence, "molybdous" is used to describe a compound or element containing molybdenum in a lower oxidation state.