protoxide

/proʊˈtɑkˌsaɪd/
noun
  1. The first or lowest oxide in a series of oxides of the same element, containing the smallest proportion of oxygen.
    • Protoxides are often less stable than higher oxides.
    • In chemistry class, we learned that carbon monoxide is a protoxide of carbon.
    • The mineral contains a protoxide of iron that gives it a dark color.