What does thallic mean?
Thallic is a technical adjective relating to thallium, the metallic chemical element with the symbol Tl. In chemical usage, it most often denotes thallium in the +3 oxidation state, as in compounds conventionally called thallic chloride, thallic oxide, and thallic sulfate. The word should not be confused with thallous, which denotes thallium in the +1 state. Although thallic can occasionally serve as a broader adjective meaning “of or characteristic of thallium,” its specialized valence meaning is especially important in inorganic chemistry. The term is not common in general conversation and is unsuitable as a substitute for “containing thallium” when no oxidation-state distinction is intended. Because thallium and many of its compounds are toxic, the word also occurs in analytical, environmental, and toxicological contexts, but its definition itself does not imply toxicity. It is ultimately derived from thallium, whose name reflects the element’s striking green spectral line.
adjectiveOf, relating to, or characteristic of thallium; specifically, denoting thallium in the +3 oxidation state or compounds containing it.
- Relating to or characteristic of thallium.
- Denoting thallium in the +3 oxidation state or compounds containing thallium in that state.
"The analyst identified the precipitate as a thallic salt."
"The test confirmed that the solution contained a thallic salt."
"In this nomenclature, a thallic compound contains thallium in the +3 oxidation state."
Thallium was named for its brilliant green spectral line, giving this technical adjective a memorable connection to a distinctive glow.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does thallic come from?
Thallic was formed from thallium with the adjectival suffix -ic. Thallium was named in the 19th century from the Greek thallos, meaning “green shoot” or “young branch,” in recognition of its characteristic green spectral line. The related terms thallous and thallate were likewise formed within chemical nomenclature from the thallium name.
Related word forms
How thallic is actually used
This is specialized chemical terminology. Although it can refer more generally to thallium or its properties, it most often distinguishes trivalent thallium compounds from thallous, or univalent, compounds.
Easily confused with thallic
Thallic usually denotes thallium in the +3 oxidation state, whereas thallous denotes thallium in the +1 state.