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ORGANIC COMPOUNDS Click on an orange label to see a hazcard Click on certain words in bold to see another dictionary entry
acetaldehyde	Another way of saying ethanal.
acetic acid	The old-fashioned name for ethanoic acid, which is found in vinegar.		CH3COOH Also: C2H4O2
acetylene	Another way of saying ethyne.
acid chloride	Another way of saying acyl chloride.
acyl chloride	A compound containing the group RCOCl. The acyl chloride group is similar to the carboxylic acid group, except that the hydroxyl group has been replaced with a chloride group. Acyl chlorides are highly reactive.		RCOCl
alkanes (homologous series)	Hydrocarbons containing only carbon-carbon single bonds and carbon-hydrogen bonds		CnH2n+2
alkenes (homologous series)	Hydrocarbons containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds		CnH2n
alkynes (homologous series)	Hydrocarbons containing one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds		CnH2n-2
amyl nitrate	A colourless liquid added to diesel to improve ignition.		C5H11ONO2
amyl nitrite	A yellowish volatile synthetic liquid used medicinally as a vasodilator (a drug that makes blood vessels dilate) and inhaled as a recreational drug. Sometimes it is called amyl nitrate, but this misleading. Amyl nitrate is used in diesel.		C5H11ONO
benzene	A volatile liquid hydrocarbon present in coal tar and petroleum, having a hexagonal ring-shaped molecule which is the basis of most aromatic organic compounds. The simplest aromatic compound, a member of the arene homologous series, a known carcinogen (cancer causing chemical) and a constituent of petrol in the UK. It has a system of delocalised electrons that occur because of overlap between the π-orbitals (the pear-shaped orbits of the electrons in the second of the two bonds making up the three double bonds in benzene). Origin of name: benzoic acid + ene (denoting double bonds). Benzoic acid is a white crystalline compound present in the plant resin benzoin. Benzoin is a fragrant gum resin obtained from certain East Asian storax trees. A crystalline aromatic ketone present in this resin is also called benzoin, from which benzoic acid takes its name. Benzoin the resin is named from the French benjoin from the Arabic lubānjāwī meaning incense of Java.		C6H6
chloroform	AKA tetrachloromethane or carbon tetrachloride, this anaesthetic liquid can be fatal in overdose.		CCl4
dioxin	Carcinogenic polluting compound, full name 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD).		C12H4Cl4O2
ester	A molecule made from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid. The link between the alkyl groups of the two constituent molecules is called an ester link.		RCOOR
ethanal	The aldehyde that is based on ethane. It has two carbon atoms, one with three hydrogen atoms attached, and the other doubly bonded to an oxygen atom and singly bonded to a hydrogen atom. Also called acetaldehyde.		CH3CHO
ethanoic acid	A carboxylic acid formed by the oxidation of ethanol.		CH3COOH Also: C2H4O2
ethanol	The alcohol based on ethane. Click here for loads more detail.		CH3CH2OH Also: C2H5OH or C2H6O
ethene	A colourless, highly flammable gas.		C2H4
ether	Ethoxyethane, used as an anaesthetic.		CH3OCH3
ethers (homologous series)	Organic chemicals whose molecules consist of two alkyl groups bonded to either side of an oxygen atom.		ROR’
ethyl	An alkyl group consisting of –CH2-CH3 (–C2H5). It’s basically just ethane with one hydrogen atom removed.		C2H5-
ethyl alcohol	An old-fashioned name for ethanol.
ethylene	An old-fashioned name for ethene
ethylene glycol	Systematically called ethanediol, a colourless viscous hygroscopic liquid used in antifreeze and in wood preservatives.		C2H6O2
ethyne	The first member of the alkyne homologous series, formerly known as acetylene.		C2H2
formic acid	The old-fashioned name for methanoic acid.
furan	One half of the 80s chemical pop sensation Furan Furan.		C4H4O
glycerol	Systematic name called propane-1,2,3-triol. The molecule at the heart of fats and oils, this trihydric alcohol is also used to make bubble mixture and in the catering industry. It is sometimes referred to as glycerine.		C3H5(OH)3
hexane 1,6-diamine	Mixed with hexanedioic acid to make nylon(6,6). Also called 1,6-diaminohexane.		C6H16N2
hexanedioic acid	Mixed with hexane 1,6-diamine to make nylon(6,6).		C6H14O4
hydrocarbons	Compounds containing only hydrogen and carbon atoms.		CXHY
methanoic acid	The simplest carboxylic acid possible.		HCOOH Also: CH2O2
Methylene Blue	An indicator with many other uses including staining cells in biology and related sciences, and as a medicinal drug.		C16H18ClN3S
PET	PolyEthylene Terephthalate, a polymer used to make drinks bottles, x-ray films, audio tapes and many other products. As an artificial fibre it is known as Terylene® and Dacron®.		(C10H8O4)n
pyran			C5H10O
sebacoyl chloride	A diacyl dichloride also known as decanedioyl dichloride. It is used in Salters Advanced Chemistry Activity DP2.1 Making Nylon (click to view details of this activity).		C10H16Cl2O2
tetrahydrofuran	A clear colourless liquid which smells like ether and dissolves easily in organic solvents and water.		C4H8O

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INORGANIC COMPOUNDS Click on an orange label to see a hazcard
copper(I) oxide	A brick red powdery solid, formed when copper(II) ions (Cu^2+) are reduced in alkaline aqueous solutions to copper(I) ions (Cu^+).	Crystal lattice structure	Cu2O
copper(II) oxide	The more common oxide of copper.	Crystal lattice structure	CuO
gunpowder	An explosive consisting of a powdered mixture of saltpetre, sulphur and charcoal.	Mixture