Common and Trade Names of Chemicals

Common /
Household Name

Chemical Name^2,3

Molecular Formula

Notes:

Alcohol, wood

methanol, methyl alcohol

CH₃OH

Many uses, including as a solvent, and as an antifreeze in pipelines and windshield washer fluid. Highly toxic to humans

Alcohol, grain

ethanol or ethyl alcohol

C₂H₅OH

Many uses, incl. as a fuel (e.g. for lightweight rocket-powered racing aircraft), in alcoholic beverages, as an antiseptic and as a solvent.

Alcohol, rubbing

2-propanol, propan-2-ol,
propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol

C₃H₈O

Many uses, including in healthcare/clinical situations. Examples of uses incl. as a cooling, soothing application for bedridden patients and athletes, for cleansing surgeons' hands and instruments and for the disinfection of skin prior to penetration by a hypodermic needle. Also used as an antiseptic against vegetative bacteria, fungi and viruses - but not spores.

Alcohol

ethanol or ethyl alcohol

C₂H₆O

The type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages - and also some thermometers.

Alka Seltzer*

sodium bicarbonate^¶

CHNaO₃

Antifreeze

ethylene glycol

C₂H₆O₂

Used as an automotive antifreeze. Highly toxic.

Antiperspirant

aluminum chlorohydrate

Al₂Cl(OH)₅

Used in deodorants and antiperspirants.
Aluminum chlorohydrate refers to a group of salts of which the molecular formula given is an example.
The general formula is Al_nCl_(3n-m)(OH)_m

Aqua regia

1:3 mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids

HNO₃ : 3 HCl

Highly corrosive, fuming yellow or red solution, also called nitro-hydrochloric acid. Various chemical uses incl. etching, cleaning glassware of organic compounds, and producing chloroauric acid.

Aspirin*

acetylsalicylic acid

C₉H₈O₄

Aspirin is a registered trademark owned by Bayer, the generic term is acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).

Baking soda

sodium bicarbonate,
also known as:
sodium hydrogen carbonate

NaHCO₃

An amphoteric compound. Aqueous solutions are mildly alkaline. Mainly used in baking to react with other ingredients to release CO₂, which helps dough rise. Other uses incl. for neuralizing acids and bases, medical uses and cleaning uses.

Baking powder

sodium bicarbonate^¶

NaHCO₃

Used in baking where it reacts with other ingredients, releasing carbon dioxide (CO₂), helping dough rise.
^¶ Among other ingredients. Some baking powders contain sodium bicarbonate with one or more acidic phosphates

Banana oil

amyl acetate, isoamyl acetate

C₇H₁₄O₂

Used as a 'banana flavour' in some foods, also as a solvent for some varnishes and nitrocellulose lacquers. A honey bee pheromone and used to attract many honeybees to a small area.

Battery acid

sulphuric acid

H₂SO₄

Used in lead-acid batteries for cars and other vehicles. Formerly known as vitriol.

Bleach (laundry)

sodium hypochlorite^¶

NaClO

^¶ Common 'domestic' bleach is often a solution of approx 3–6% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) with 'oxygen' and other chemicals.

Boracic acid

boric acid

H₃BO₃

Sometimes used in products for antiseptic, insecticide, or flame retardant properties. Toxic esp. if ingested or inhaled.

Borax

sodium tetraborate decahydrate

Na₂B₄O₇ ⋅10H₂O

Used as a multipurpose cleaner and bleach.

Brass

alloy of copper and zinc

Cu and Zn

Used to make fixtures, fittings and ornaments. Examples date from the Roman period (history).

Bronze

alloy of copper and tin

Cu and Sn

Other metal elements may also be present. Now used mainly for ornaments, previously various products incl. weapons. Examples date from antiquity, incl. the European 'Bronze Age' (approx. 2500BC in Britain).

Calgon*

calcium hexametaphosphate^¶

(NaPO₃)₆

Caustic soda

sodium hydroxide

NaOH

Used in products for cleaning, unblocking sinks, drains and even toilets. Highly corrosive alkali.

Chalk

calcium carbonate

CaCO₃

Uses incl. blackboard chalk, pavement (or, in USA, 'sidewalk') chalk, gymnastics and rock-climbing, and sometimes in toothpaste.

Chloroform

Trichloromethane

CHCl₃

There are many natural sources of chloroform, incl. certain seaweeds and algae. Used to be a popular anesthetic until found to be toxic, then replaced by alternatives. Used as laboratory solvent. Hazardous.

Chrome yellow

Lead(II) chromate

PbCrO₄

Important because of the colour associated with (because from) this pigment - a bright yellow as seen on traditional American School Buses. However, the actual chemical has now largely been replaced by others that generate a very similar colour.

Cream of tartar

Potassium hydrogen tartrate

KHC₄H₄O₆

Byproduct of winemaking.
Most household uses concern cooking (preparation of food), also limited cleaning uses.

Diamond

carbon

C

Uses incl. diamond jewellery and diamond glass-cutters.

Drano*

sodium hydroxide^¶

NaOH

Easy-off*
(oven cleaner)

sodium hydroxide^¶

NaOH

Egg shells

calcium carbonate

CaCO₃

Natural product. Part of hens' eggs not usually eaten or used in cooking.

Epsom salts

magnesium sulphate

MgSO₄ ⋅7H₂O

Historically various 'home' medicinal uses, also traditionally used as ingredient of bath salts.

Ether

Ethyl ether, also known as
ethoxy ethane

C₄H₁₀O
or can be written:
(C₂H₅)₂O

One of the ether group of organic compounds. Used to be called "sweet oil of vitriol" (oleum dulce vitrioli). Has various uses, as a fuel, in the laboratory and previously as an anesthetic in medicine.

Formalin

40% solution of formaldehyde⁺

CH₂O

⁺also known as methanal, an aldehyde. Used in some products as a disinfectant or anti-bacterial agent.

Glauber's salt

Hydrated sodium sulphate

Na₂SO₄

Historically used in the manufacture of paper and glass, as well as as a cathartic and diuretic.

Glycerine

glycerol

C₃H₅(OH)₃

Used in pharmaceutical products, e.g. some cough syrups, expectorants, toothpastes, mouthwashes, skin care products, shaving creams, hair care products, soaps, water based personal lubricants.

Grain alcohol

Ethanol or ethyl alcohol

C₂H₅OH

Many uses, incl. as a fuel (e.g. for lightweight rocket-powered racing aircraft), in alcoholic beverages, as an antiseptic and as a solvent.

Graphite

carbon

C

The 'lead' in traditional pencils is a form of graphite.

Green vitriol

Hydrated ferrous sulphate

FeSO₄

Known since ancient times as copperas, has modern uses as a colourant (in the manufacture of inks) and in horticulture where it is used as a lawn conditioner and moss killer.

Gypsum (also known as plasterboard)

calcium sulphate dihydrate

CaSO₄ ⋅2H₂O

Also known as 'plasterboard'. Used in construction, incl. interior walls in houses. Usually covered in a thin layer of plaster then either paint, wallpaper or tiles.

Inverted sugar

Mixture of glucose and fructose

C₆H₁₂O₆

and
C₆H₁₂O₆

Inverted sugar gives more powerful preserving qualities (i.e. a longer shelf life) to products that use it than does sucrose. [Glucose and fructose have the same empirical formulae, but slightly different structures - the the two molecular formulae in the previous column are the same.]

Laughing gas

Dinitrogen oxide

N₂O

Best known as an early anesthetic drug. Has many other uses apart from in medicine, incl. as an oxidizer in rocket motors, in internal combustion engines in vehicle racing, and as an aerosol spray propellant.

Lime

calcium oxide

CaO

Less common in modern homes than in the past. Glows when heated; was used in theatres before invention of electric lighting. Health risks on skin contact or inhalation.

Limestone

Calcium carbonate

CaCO₃

A sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcite and/or aragonite. Limestone has been widely used in architecture worlwide.

Liquid paper*

titanium dioxide^¶

TiO₂

Lithopone

Mixture of zinc sulphide and barium sulphate

ZnS and BaSO₄

A white pigment used in interior paints and in some enamels.

Lye

Sodium hydroxide

NaOH

Used in products for cleaning, unblocking sinks, drains and even toilets. Highly corrosive alkali. Dangerous. Also known as caustic soda.

Magnesia

magnesium oxide

MgO

Previously used as a home-remedy to treat various ailments, incl. heartburn and sore stomach, as an antacid, magnesium supplement, and as a short-term laxative, also to improve symptoms of indigestion - not without side effects.

Marble

calcium carbonate

CaCO₃

Used to make ornaments, bathroom or kitchen tiles, some worksurfaces and even steps e.g. outside a front door.

Margarine

partially saturated fatty acid

various

Used as an ingredient in cooking.

Marsh gas

Methane

CH₄

Main use is as a fuel. Also used in some industrial chemical processes.

MEK

Methyl ethyl ketone, butanone

C₄H₈O
= CH₃COC₂H₅

A common solvent used in processes involving gums, resins, cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose coatings and in vinyl films. One of the organic chemicals known as ketones.

Milk of magnesia

magnesium hydroxide

Mg(OH)₂

Prior to availability of modern pharmaceuticals, 'milk of magnesia' was used as a home-remedy, incl. as an antacid to neutralize stomach acid, and sometimes as a laxative.

Moth balls

Traditionally: naphthalene

Modern: 1,4-dichlorobenzene

C₁₀H₈

C₆H₄Cl₂

Due to flammability of naphthalene, modern mothballs use 1,4-dichlorobenzene as main ingredient. Both have the strong, pungent odour associated with mothballs.

MSG

monosodium glutamate

C₅H₈NNaO₄

Naturally occurring non-essential amino acid. Used as a food additive & commonly marketed as a flavour enhancer.

Nutrasweet®*

aspartame^¶

C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅

Paris green

Double salt of copper acetate and copper arsenite

Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂ ·3Cu(AsO₂)₂

Used to be a popular pigment used in artists' paints. Was once used to kill rats in Parisian sewers - hence its common name. Has been used as an insecticide for produce, e.g. certain fruits - but now widely considered toxic.

Pewter

alloy of tin, copper, antimony, and lead

Sn, Cu, Sb & Pb

Modern uses incl. decorative objects, historically also tableware, e.g. tankards, plates etc.

Picric acid

2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP)

C₆H₃N₃O₇

Main use in explosives. Various other uses incl. in organic chemistry, metallurgy, to produce a fixative solution for histology samples, and even in workplace drug testing.

Plaster

calcium hydroxide

Ca(OH)₂

Used in construction, incl. interior walls in houses.

Plaster of Paris

Calcium sulphate hemihydrate

CaSO₄ ⋅½ H₂O

Several uses (e.g. in art / sculpture) but primarily a building material similar to mortar or cement. Plaster of Paris is initially a dry powder that is mixed with water to form a paste - which liberates heat (generating temperatures of up to around 60°C), then hardens. Can be hazardous.

Potash

potassium carbonate

K₂CO₃

Potash is the common name for various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form.

Prussian blue

Ferric ferrocyanide

Fe₇(CN)₁₈ ⋅14 H₂O

Probably best known as a synthetic paint pigment. Also has many other uses incl. as a stain in histopathology, for spotting metal surfaces in toolmaking, in analytical chemistry and in medicine.

Pyrite ('Fool's Gold')

Iron disulphide

FeS₂

Naturally occurring crystal found in the earth's crust. Of interest to collectors of crystals, rocks and minerals.

Quartz

silicon dioxide

SiO₂

Used in jewellry and ornamental objects incl. many types of crystals, e.g. rose quartz and citrine.

Quicklime

calcium oxide

CaO

Quicklime (also known as slaked lime) is a white, caustic and alkaline crystalline solid at room temperature.

Rolaids®*

dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate^¶

NaAl(OH)₂CO₃

Rubbing alcohol

2-propanol, propan-2-ol,
propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol

C₃H₈O

Many uses, including in healthcare/clinical situations. Examples of uses incl. as a cooling, soothing application for bedridden patients and athletes, for cleansing surgeons' hands and instruments and for the disinfection of skin prior to penetration by a hypodermic needle. Also used as an antiseptic against vegetative bacteria, fungi and viruses - but not spores.

Salt (Table Salt)

sodium chloride

NaCl

Used to season food (during food preparation and at the table), also used in the past as a method of food preservation.

Sand

silicon dioxide

SiO₂

Various uses incl. building sand, sand for 'sand pits' for children to play in, and for use in ornaments e.g. to hold candles upright in suitable containers.

Sani-flush®*

Sodium bisulphate, with sodium carbonate (and other ingredients)^¶

NaHSO₄
with Na₂CO₃

Saran™ wrap*

poly-1,1-dichloroethylene

[polymer]

Silica

silicon dioxide

SiO₄

Silica 'gel' (which is a solid) is sometimes used as beads packed in vapour-permeable plastic and used as a desiccant to control local humidity, e.g. in product packaging. It is also used in some forms of cat litter products.

Slaked lime

Calcium hydroxide

Ca(OH)₂

Slaked lime (also known as quicklime) is a white, caustic and alkaline crystalline solid at room temperature. Unstable and potentially hazardous.

Smelling salts

ammonium carbonate

(NH₄)₂CO₃ ·H₂O

Historic household item: Used in C19th to revive fainting women, still included in First Aid boxes in WWII. Sometimes used in sporting situations and by those feeling faint.

Solder

alloy of tin and antimony

Sn and Sb (compositions of alloys vary)

Soldered joints exist in most consumer electronics products. Solder may also be found in the home if used for home-electronics, e.g. hobby projects.

Sugar (Table Sugar)

sucrose

C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁

Used in cooking. Use as a sweetener.

Teflon®*

polymer of tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

(C₂F₄)_n

TNT

Trinitrotoluene

C₇H₅N₃O₆

Among the most commonly used explosives. Valued due to its relative insensitivity to shock and friction, which reduces risk of accidental detonation.

Toluol

toluene

C₇H₈ or
C₆H₅CH₃

Use as a common solvent to dissolve paints, paint thinners, silicone sealants, rubber, printing ink, adhesives (glues), etc.

Tums®*

calcium carbonate^¶

CaCO₃

Tylenol®*

paracetamol (British English); acetominophen (in USA)^¶

C₈H₉NO₂

Vinegar

acetic acid, ethanoic acid

C₂H₄O₂

Food seasoning and various household cleaning uses.

Vitamin C

ascorbic acid

C₆H₈O₆

Essential vitamin.

Washing soda

Sodium carbonate decahydrate (hydrated sodium carbonate)

NaCO₃ ⋅10H₂O

Also known as 'soda ash'. Domestic use as a water softener.

White lead

basic lead carbonate

(PbCO₃)₂ ·Pb(OH)₂

Previously used as an ingredient in lead paint and in a cosmetic product. However, now banned in many countries due to fears of lead poisoning.

Windex®*

ammonia^¶ plus detergents, dyes and fragrances.

NH₃

Wood alcohol

Methyl alcohol, methanol

CH₃OH

Many uses, including as a solvent, and as an antifreeze in pipelines and windshield washer fluid. Highly toxic to humans