Chemical compounds library

Aluminium oxide is the stable form of aluminium in air. Its α mineral (corundum) is one of the hardest and most refractory materials known; its red variety is ruby, its blue variety sapphire.

Bent triatomic molecule, universal solvent and dominant component of the biosphere. Its anomalous properties (density maximum at 4 °C, high surface tension, high specific heat) arise from hydrogen bonding between molecules.

Linear molecule, the end product of combustion of carbonaceous compounds and of aerobic respiration. The main anthropogenic greenhouse gas by atmospheric concentration.

The simplest alkane, main component of natural gas. A potent greenhouse gas (GWP ~28 over 100 years). Produced naturally by methanogenesis and volcanic activity.

Reference weak base and the second most produced chemical worldwide after sulfuric acid. Essential for the manufacture of nitrogen fertilisers via the Haber-Bosch process.

Ionic solid crystallising in a face-centred cubic lattice. Present in vast amounts in the oceans and in evaporitic halite deposits.

One of the most abundant minerals of the Earth's crust. Structural component of sands, sandstones and quartzites, and raw material for glass, silicon and ceramics.

The most stable iron(III) oxide and the main iron ore mined worldwide (hematite). Responsible for the characteristic red colour of the Martian surface, red ochres and rust.

Ubiquitous mineral salt and the main constituent of limestone, marble and chalk. Also forms the shells of many marine organisms and coral reefs.

Reference strong acid in titrations. Present in human gastric juice at ~0.1 mol/L (pH ~1) to digest proteins and sterilise food.

The most produced chemical worldwide by tonnage (>200 Mt/yr). A historical indicator of a country's industrialisation.

The best-known primary alcohol, produced by sugar fermentation. A universal organic solvent and the psychoactive ingredient of alcoholic beverages.

A major strong base of the chemical industry. Caustic soda is produced at tens of millions of tonnes per year and is central to paper, soap, alumina and water-treatment manufacturing.

Strong base analogous to sodium hydroxide, used to make soft (liquid) soaps and as electrolyte in alkaline batteries.

Obtained by hydrating quicklime (CaO), slaked lime is an age-old construction material and a ubiquitous pH regulator in industry and agriculture.

Strong oxidising acid, the second most produced after sulfuric acid. Essential precursor of all nitrogen fertilisers through ammonium nitrate.

Weak triprotic acid, ubiquitous in the phosphate-fertiliser industry and used as an acidifying additive (E338) in carbonated drinks.

The best-known organic acid, the main component of vinegar (~5 %). Produced since antiquity by acetic fermentation and today also by industrial synthesis (methanol carbonylation).

Natural tricarboxylic acid present in citrus fruits. The most widely used acidic food additive worldwide (E330) and a central intermediate of the Krebs cycle.

Universal oxidising and bleaching agent. 3 % hydrogen peroxide is a household antiseptic; at 30–70 % it is a major industrial reagent for pulp and textile bleaching.

Mild alkaline salt found everywhere: baking raiser in cooking, antacid in pharmacy, eco-friendly household cleaner and industrial pH regulator. Decomposes above 50 °C into Na₂CO₃, H₂O and CO₂.

Produced on a massive scale by the Solvay process (from NaCl and CaCO₃), sodium carbonate is the backbone of the glass, detergent and water-treatment industries.

The most common copper(II) salt in chemistry. Its bright-blue pentahydrate (CuSO₄·5H₂O) is a classical lab reagent and the basis of Bordeaux mixture in viticulture.

Iconic purple oxidiser in chemistry classes. Used for water treatment, as a dilute antiseptic and as a titrimetric reagent in quantitative analysis (permanganometry).

The most soluble and most used silver salt. Key reagent in analytical chemistry (halide test), silver-based photography and medical cauterisation.

The most widely used white pigment worldwide thanks to its exceptional refractive index. Found in paints, plastics, sunscreens and (formerly) confectionery.

Wide-bandgap semiconductor used in pharmacy (healing creams), cosmetics (sunscreens) and electronics (varistors, UV LEDs).

A quintessential refractory oxide (one of the highest melting points among oxides). Used as a furnace lining material, as an antacid and as a magnesium dietary supplement.

Obtained by calcining limestone (CaCO₃) at ~900 °C, quicklime is one of the oldest and most produced materials in the world. It reacts vigorously with water to form slaked lime Ca(OH)₂.

The most stable and most abundant manganese oxide. Main ore of manganese (pyrolusite), cathode of alkaline batteries and catalyst for H₂O₂ decomposition.

Highly stable green pigment and refractory oxide. Corundum structure (isomorphous with Al₂O₃). Used in paint, metallurgy and as a polishing abrasive.

The only naturally ferrimagnetic iron oxide. A historic iron ore and the first magnetic material known to humanity (Chinese compass). Inverse spinel structure with Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺.

Salt isostructural with NaCl (FCC lattice). The main potassium fertiliser (potash) and a low-sodium table-salt substitute. Also an essential injectable drug (correction of hypokalaemia).

Highly soluble hygroscopic salt, heavily used as a winter road de-icer (more effective than NaCl at low temperature) and as an industrial desiccant.

The most common iodide salt in pharmacy. Distributed as thyroid-protection tablets in the event of a nuclear accident (saturation of the thyroid with stable iodine to block uptake of radioactive iodine).

Heavy, essentially insoluble mineral, which makes it non-toxic despite the toxicity of soluble Ba²⁺ ions. Used as a radiopaque contrast agent in gastrointestinal imaging and as a white industrial filler.

A powerful Lewis acid used as a catalyst in organic chemistry (Friedel-Crafts reactions), a coagulant in water treatment and an etchant for printed circuit boards.

The most used nitrogen fertiliser worldwide and an industrial explosive component (ANFO). Its dissolution in water is strongly endothermic (instant cold pack). Storage is strictly regulated after several industrial disasters.

Epsom salt (MgSO₄·7H₂O) is a staple of pharmacy and wellness (relaxing baths, laxative). Used in agriculture as a magnesium source and in emergency medicine (eclampsia).

Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) is the raw material of plaster: heated to ~150 °C it loses part of its water to give the hemihydrate which, when mixed with water, returns to its dihydrate form and hardens — this is plaster setting.

The most used source of fluoride in public health. Added to toothpastes and to drinking water in many countries for the prevention of dental caries.

The most widespread household and industrial disinfectant and bleaching agent. Produced by dissolving chlorine gas in sodium hydroxide (chlor-alkali process). Invented in France in the 18th century.

Reference medication for bipolar disorder (mood stabiliser). Also an essential precursor for the lithium-ion battery and ceramic industries.

Colourless, odourless gas, extremely toxic by inhalation. Produced by incomplete combustion, it is also a major industrial reagent (syngas, Fischer-Tropsch process, carbonylation).

Colourless gas with a pungent odour, intermediate in the chemical industry (sulfuric acid) and food preservative (E220, wines, dried fruits). Main pollutant responsible for acid rain.

Triatomic allotrope of oxygen. In the stratosphere the ozone layer filters UV-C and part of UV-B; at ground level it is a pollutant and a strong oxidiser used for water disinfection.

Colourless gas with a rotten-egg smell, toxic and flammable. Ubiquitous in petroleum and gas reservoirs (sour gas), volcanoes and organic decay. Intermediate of the Claus process (sulfur recovery).

The most important monosaccharide in metabolism. Primary energy source for virtually all living cells through glycolysis and cellular respiration. Blood glucose is tightly regulated by insulin and glucagon.

Disaccharide (glucose + fructose) extracted from sugarcane and sugar beet. It is "sugar" par excellence, one of the most consumed food products worldwide (~180 Mt/yr).

Viscous, sweet triol, a co-product of fat saponification and biodiesel production. Ubiquitous in cosmetics (humectant), food (E422) and pharmacy (excipient).

The most consumed medicine in the world. Synthesised by Bayer in 1897, aspirin is an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antiplatelet drug that irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX).

The most consumed stimulant purine alkaloid in the world. Present in coffee, tea, cocoa, guarana and energy drinks. Acts as an antagonist of brain adenosine receptors, reducing drowsiness.

Amphoteric compound (soluble in acid and basic media). Main pharmacy antacid and intermediate of the Bayer process (alumina → aluminium). The mineral gibbsite is a major component of bauxites.

Black copper oxide, a p-type semiconductor. Used as a pigment, catalyst and component of experimental solar cells. Classic black powder of chemistry classes (reduction by H₂ or C).

Mild reducing agent and complexing agent, historically used as a fixer in silver-halide photography (dissolves unexposed AgBr). Medical antidote for cyanide and chlorine poisoning.

Colourless, odourless and chemically inert gas. Makes up 78 % of the atmosphere. The N≡N triple bond is among the strongest in chemistry — which is why its industrial fixation (Haber-Bosch) requires 400 °C and 200 bar.

The smallest molecule, colourless and odourless gas. A key energy carrier for decarbonisation: today produced mostly by methane reforming (grey), tomorrow by renewable water electrolysis (green).

The most widely used nuclear fuel worldwide. Sintered ceramic pellets (~1 cm × 1 cm) clad in zirconium alloy, assembled into rods and then fuel assemblies — this is what fissions in the core of PWR, BWR and EPR reactors.