Trivalent: meaning, definitions and examples

The term 'trivalent' comes from the Latin roots 'tri-', meaning three, and 'valent', from 'valentia', meaning strength or capacity. The earliest usage of the term in a scientific context dates back to the late 19th century, as chemists began to classify elements based on their bonding behaviors and valences. Understanding the concept of trivalence has been crucial in the development of chemical bonds, particularly as the periodic table of elements was being formulated. Its application spans various branches of chemistry, including coordination chemistry and organic chemistry, where the valence plays a pivotal role in determining how different molecules interact. The broader implications of trivalent compounds also extend to biology and medicine, especially in the development of vaccines and understanding metallic ions in biological systems.

Positioned at #24,418, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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• 24418 trivalent
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