hydrosulphate
Very LowTechnical / Archaic
Definition
Meaning
A salt or ester derived from hydrosulphuric acid (H₂S). Historically, a salt containing the HS⁻ anion (bisulphide).
An obsolete or historical chemical term for a bisulphide salt, also sometimes used loosely in older industrial contexts for sulphurated compounds. In modern nomenclature, the terms 'bisulphide' or 'hydrogen sulphide salt' are preferred.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is largely obsolete in modern scientific literature. Its use is primarily historical or found in older industrial manuals. The prefix 'hydro-' indicates the presence of hydrogen in the anion (HS⁻ rather than S²⁻).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'hydrosulphate' is the standard British form. The American English spelling would be 'hydrosulfate'. However, the term is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Implies old-fashioned chemistry or industrial processes.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties; more likely to be encountered in pre-1950s texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Metal] hydrosulphatehydrosulphate of [Metal]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical reviews of chemistry or analysis of antique texts.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Obsolete term; superseded by 'bisulphide' or 'hydrosulphide' in niche historical references.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The hydrosulphate residue was analysed.
- An obsolete hydrosulphate nomenclature.
American English
- The hydrosulfate residue was analyzed.
- An obsolete hydrosulfate nomenclature.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The old chemistry textbook referred to 'potassium hydrosulphate', a term no longer in common use.
- In his 1898 thesis, he meticulously detailed the precipitation of various metal hydrosulphates from acidic solution.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'HYDRO' (hydrogen) + 'SULPHATE' (but not the common sulphate). It's a sulphury compound *with* hydrogen attached.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'сульфат' (sulphate/sulfate). Hydrosulphate refers to a salt of H₂S, not H₂SO₄. The closer Russian equivalent is 'гидросульфид' (hydrosulphide) or 'бисульфид' (bisulphide).
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean 'hydrated sulphate' (a sulphate with water of crystallisation).
- Confusing it with modern 'sodium hydrosulphite' (Na₂S₂O₄), a different compound.
- Using it in contemporary scientific writing where 'bisulphide' is correct.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reason 'hydrosulphate' is not used in modern chemistry?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A sulphate (e.g., Na₂SO₄) is a salt of sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄). A hydrosulphate is a salt of hydrosulphuric acid (H₂S). They are completely different classes of compound.
You are most likely to find it in chemistry texts or industrial manuals from the late 19th or early 20th century. It is not part of modern IUPAC nomenclature.
The modern preferred term is 'bisulphide' (or 'bisulfide' in US spelling) or specifically 'hydrosulphide' (hydrosulfide) for the HS⁻ salt, e.g., sodium bisulphide (NaHS).
The word describes a class of compounds. Many bisulphides/hydrosulphides can react with acids to produce toxic hydrogen sulphide gas and may be corrosive. Specific hazards depend on the exact compound.