Syrehaltig

Syrehaltig is an adjective used in Scandinavian languages to describe a substance that contains oxygen atoms in its chemical composition. The term is descriptive rather than a formal chemical class, and it is often employed when the presence of oxygen is a relevant property for describing reactivity, combustion, solubility, or environmental behavior.

The concept applies across inorganic and organic chemistry. A syrehaltig substance can be a simple molecule such as water (H2O) or carbon dioxide (CO2), as well as more complex organic compounds that include oxygen-containing functional groups such as alcohols, carbonyls, or carboxylic acids. The designation does not specify the oxidation state of the oxygen or whether the substance is fully oxidized, partially oxidized, or a mixture; it simply indicates that oxygen is part of the substance’s composition.

In usage, syrehaltig is often encountered in technical discussions, safety data, or materials descriptions where oxygen content affects properties like reactivity, flammability, or environmental impact. It does not replace formal terminology such as oxide, hydroxide, or organic functional groups, but it provides a convenient shorthand about the presence of oxygen.

Etymologically, the term derives from syre (oxygen) and haltig (containing). While most commonly used in Swedish and Norwegian contexts, similar forms appear in other Scandinavian languages. See also oxygen, oxidation, and oxygenated compounds for related concepts.