What is "chalcogenide"

n. (context inorganic chemistry English) Any binary compound of a chalcogen with a more electropositive element.

thumb|220px|Cadmium sulfide, a prototypical metal chalcogenide, is used as a yellow pigment.

A chalcogenide is a chemical compound consisting of at least one chalcogen anion and at least one more electropositive element. Although all group 16 elements of the periodic table are defined as chalcogens, the term chalcogenide is more commonly reserved for sulfides, selenides, and tellurides, rather than oxides. Many metal ores exist as chalcogenides. Photoconductive chalcogenide glasses are used in xerography. Some pigments and catalysts are also based on chalcogenides. The metal dichalcogenide MoS is a common solid lubricant.