Hydrate

Hydrates are compounds formed by the union of water with some other substance, generally forming a neutral body, as certain crystallized salts. (If the water is heavy water, where the hydrogen consists of the isotope deuterium, then the term deuterate may be used in place of hydrate.)

Related Topics:
Water - Salt - Heavy water - Isotope - Deuterium

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These substances do not contain water as such, but have their constituents (hydrogen, oxygen, hydroxyl) so arranged that water may be eliminated. Hence, hydrates are derivatives of, or compounds with, hydroxyl.

Related Topics:
Hydrogen - Oxygen - Hydroxyl

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Such a substance is considered to be anhydrous when it is not in such a union with water.

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The notation of anhydrous compound{{hydrate|n}}, where n is the number of water molecules per molecule of anhydrous salt, is commonly used to show that a salt is hydrated. The n is usually a low integer, though it is possible for fractional values to exist.

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Examples include borax, chloral hydrate, clathrate hydrates (a class of hydrates of gases), and chalcanthite.

Related Topics:
Borax - Chloral hydrate - Clathrate hydrate - Chalcanthite

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