hypophosphorous

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

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