cobaltous hydroxide: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “cobaltous hydroxide” mean?
A chemical compound with the formula Co(OH)₂, a blue solid composed of cobalt in the +2 oxidation state combined with hydroxide ions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chemical compound with the formula Co(OH)₂, a blue solid composed of cobalt in the +2 oxidation state combined with hydroxide ions.
It is an inorganic base used in the production of cobalt salts, as a precursor to cobalt oxides in ceramics, and in certain battery and catalyst applications.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; spelling conventions for related technical text may apply (e.g., 'hydroxide' vs 'hydroxide' is identical). The compound name is standard in international scientific nomenclature.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, exclusive to chemistry, materials science, and industrial contexts. Usage is identical in frequency and context between UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “cobaltous hydroxide” in a Sentence
[substance] contains cobaltous hydroxide[process] yields cobaltous hydroxide[agent] precipitates cobaltous hydroxideVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cobaltous hydroxide” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cobaltous hydroxide slurry was filtered.
American English
- The cobaltous hydroxide precipitate was washed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may appear in procurement lists, material safety data sheets (MSDS), or specifications for battery component manufacturing.
Academic
Exclusively used in chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science papers, textbooks, and lab reports.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Primary domain of use: in descriptions of synthesis, electrochemistry, pigment preparation, and as an intermediate in cobalt processing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cobaltous hydroxide”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cobaltous hydroxide”
- Misspelling as 'cobaltic hydroxide' (which is Co(OH)₃).
- Incorrect pluralisation ('cobaltous hydroxides' is atypical; it's usually a mass noun).
- Mispronouncing 'cobaltous' with stress on the second syllable (correct stress: CO-bal-tous).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, like many cobalt compounds, it is considered harmful if ingested or inhaled and may cause skin or eye irritation. Proper safety protocols (gloves, goggles, fume hood) are required when handling it.
Cobaltous hydroxide contains cobalt in the +2 oxidation state (Co(OH)₂), typically pink to blue. Cobaltic hydroxide contains cobalt in the +3 state (Co(OH)₃), which is brown or black.
Not directly as a pure compound. It is an intermediate or precursor used in manufacturing items like certain ceramic pigments, catalyst precursors, or battery components, but it is not a consumer product itself.
The blue colour arises from the specific way light interacts with the electronic structure of the cobalt(II) ions in the crystalline lattice, a phenomenon related to d-d electron transitions.
A chemical compound with the formula Co(OH)₂, a blue solid composed of cobalt in the +2 oxidation state combined with hydroxide ions.
Cobaltous hydroxide is usually technical / scientific in register.
Cobaltous hydroxide: in British English it is pronounced /kəʊˌbɔːltəs haɪˈdrɒksaɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /koʊˌbɔːltəs haɪˈdrɑːksaɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Cobalt' (the metal) + '-ous' (like 'ferrous' for iron) + 'hydroxide' (OH group). 'Blue cobalt two, hooks up with OH, that's Co(OH)₂.'
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable; the term is a literal technical label without common metaphorical extensions.
Practice
Quiz
What does the '-ous' suffix in 'cobaltous hydroxide' specifically indicate?