Hypophosphorous

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Hypophosphorous \Hy`po*phos"phor*ous\, a. [Pref. hypo- +
     phosphorous.] (Chem.)
     Pertaining to, or containing, phosphorus in a lower state of
     oxidation than in phosphoric compounds; as, hypophosphorous
     acid.
     [1913 Webster]


  
     {Hypophosphorous acid} (Chem.), an acid, {H3PO2}, whose salts
        are produced by the action of barium hygrate on
        phosphorus. It may be obtained from its water solution, by
        exaporation and freezing, as a white crystalline
        substance. It is a powerful reducing agent.
        [1913 Webster]