adjective
- having a valence of three; capable of combining with three atoms of hydrogen or their equivalent
Usage: chemistry
Examples
- Aluminum is a tervalent metal that forms compounds by losing three electrons.
- The tervalent iron ion has a charge of +3.
- Boron is tervalent in most of its chemical compounds.
- The tervalent nature of phosphorus allows it to form three bonds.
- Chromium can exist in both divalent and tervalent states.
- The tervalent cation readily forms complex ions with ligands.