What does stannate mean?
A stannate is a chemical compound containing tin, particularly a salt or oxyanion derived from stannic acid. The word most often describes compounds in which tin has an oxidation state of +4, distinguishing them from related compounds such as stannites, which contain tin in the +2 state. Stannates occur in specialized industrial and laboratory contexts. Sodium stannate, for example, is used as a clarifying agent in glassmaking, where it helps control the effects of iron impurities and reduces unwanted coloration. The term is principally used by chemists, materials scientists, and workers in specialized manufacturing industries rather than in general conversation. Although it may be encountered in discussions of glass, ceramics, metallurgy, and inorganic chemistry, a stannate should not be confused with ordinary tin metal or with the descriptive adjective stannic, which denotes compounds of tin in the +4 oxidation state.
nounA chemical compound containing tin, especially a salt or oxyanion derived from stannic acid. The term most often refers to compounds in which tin has an oxidation state of +4.
- A salt, ion, or other chemical compound containing tin, especially one derived from stannic acid.
"Sodium stannate is added to the molten glass mixture to help clarify it."
"Sodium stannate is used as a clarifying agent in the production of glass."
"The ceramic was glazed with a mixture containing a stannate compound."
The plural is used when referring to several different tin-containing compounds or to a class of such compounds.
"The researchers compared the properties of several stannates at high temperatures."
Stannates helped make clear glass: adding sodium stannate to molten glass helps prevent iron impurities from producing unwanted coloration.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stannate come from?
Stannate was formed from the English chemical element name stannum, a Latin word for tin, together with the suffix -ate, which is widely used in chemistry for salts and related anions. Latin stannum also gave English the element name tin. Related chemical terms include stannic and stannous, which distinguish compounds of tin in the +4 and +2 oxidation states respectively.
How stannate is actually used
This is primarily a technical chemistry term. When used without further qualification, it generally denotes a tin-containing compound associated with tin in the +4 oxidation state.