hydrosulfide
C2 / Very Rare / TechnicalHighly technical/scientific
Definition
Meaning
A chemical compound containing the anion HS⁻, formed by the dissociation of hydrogen sulfide.
A salt of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), or more generally, a compound containing the -SH group, often used in inorganic and organic chemistry contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Specifically refers to ionic inorganic compounds (e.g., sodium hydrosulfide, NaHS). The term 'mercaptan' or 'thiol' is preferred for organic compounds containing the -SH group. Do not confuse with 'hydrogen sulfide' (H₂S), the gas.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Spelling remains identical. In British English, 'hydrogen sulphide' is the spelling for the parent compound, but 'hydrosulfide' for the anion is still typically spelled with 'f' in scientific literature.
Connotations
None beyond the scientific meaning.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, confined to chemistry texts, industrial processes, and academic papers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Metal] hydrosulfidehydrosulfide of [Metal][Reagent] reacts to form hydrosulfideVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No idioms exist for this technical term.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Only in specific industrial contexts like mining, chemical manufacturing, or water treatment reports.
Academic
Primary context. Used in chemistry, geology, and environmental science papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core context. Used in laboratory manuals, safety data sheets (SDS), and process engineering.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The sample was hydrosulfidised to test for metal ions. (Note: extremely rare/constructed)
American English
- The process hydrosulfidizes the ore to facilitate extraction. (Note: extremely rare/constructed)
adjective
British English
- The hydrosulphide solution was handled with extreme care. (Note: using 'sulph' spelling variant)
American English
- The hydrosulfide compound is highly reactive.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Sodium hydrosulfide is used in the paper manufacturing industry.
- The geochemical analysis revealed significant concentrations of hydrosulfide ions in the anoxic groundwater, indicating sulfate reduction.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HYDROgen + SULFIDE = HYDROSULFIDE. It's the sulfide with an extra hydrogen.
Conceptual Metaphor
A chemical 'salt' derived from a poisonous gas (H₂S), often conceptualized as a reagent or an intermediate species.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'гидросульфид' generically; in Russian chemistry, 'гидросульфид' is standard for inorganic salts (NaHS), while 'меркаптан' is used for organics.
- Avoid confusing with 'сероводород' (hydrogen sulfide, H₂S gas).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hydrosulfide' to refer to organic thiols (use 'mercaptan' or 'thiol').
- Misspelling as 'hydrosulfite' (which is a different ion, S₂O₄²⁻).
- Pronouncing it as 'hydro-sul-fied' (correct: 'hydro-sul-fide').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the word 'hydrosulfide'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a gas. Hydrosulfide refers to salts containing the HS⁻ anion (e.g., NaHS).
Hydrosulfide is an inorganic ion (HS⁻). A thiol (R-SH) is an organic compound with a carbon-bonded -SH group, like mercaptans.
It is used industrially in pulp and paper production, as a flotation agent in mining, and in leather processing to remove hair.
Because they can release toxic hydrogen sulfide gas, especially in acidic conditions, and are corrosive.