monochloride

Monochloride refers to a chemical compound containing only one chlorine atom bonded to another element or group. This single chlorine atom is typically covalently bonded to a more electropositive species, forming a binary compound. Examples of monochlorides include hydrogen chloride (HCl), where chlorine is bonded to hydrogen, and many metal chlorides. The term "monochloride" emphasizes the presence of a single chlorine atom, distinguishing it from compounds with multiple chlorine atoms, such as dichlorides or trichlorides. The chemical properties of a monochloride are largely dictated by the nature of the element bonded to the chlorine. For instance, hydrogen chloride is a gas that dissolves in water to form hydrochloric acid, a strong acid. Metal monochlorides can exhibit a range of stabilities and reactivities depending on the metal. Some monochlorides are reactive and serve as intermediates in chemical synthesis, while others are relatively stable. The oxidation state of chlorine in a monochloride is typically -1.