Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry – Elements, Compounds & Related Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering key elements, compounds, toxicities, and pharmacologic uses from the lecture on pharmaceutical inorganic chemistry.

Hydrogen (H)

Lightest element

Hydrogen

“Inflammable air”

Protium

Most abundant isotope of hydrogen (¹H)

Deuterium

Heavy isotope of hydrogen (²H); used in battery manufacture

Tritium

Radioactive isotope of hydrogen (³H)

Lithium (Li)

Lightest metal

depressant

Lithium bromide is? (one word)

Lithium (Li)

Used as heat exchanger in ac

Lithium

Depressant action on nerve centers and circulation

Lithium carbonate

Drug of choice for mania (brand: Lithase)

Cesium

Catalyst in polymerization of resin-forming materials

Sodium (Na)

Predominant extracellular cation (out)

Sodium (Na)

produces osmotic effects

Sodium

“From nature”

Sodium bicarbonate

Baking soda

systemic/absorbable antacid

carbonating agent

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate

“Fleet Enema”;

saline cathartic & urinary acidifier

Sodium hydroxide

Lye, caustic soda;

strong base

saponifying agent

Sodium nitrite

Vasodilator

antidote for cyanide poisoning

preservative

Sodium nitrate

“Chile saltpeter”

food preservative

Sodium sulfate decahydrate

Glauber’s salt

cathartic

Potassium (K)

Predominant intracellular cation (In)

Potassium bitartrate

Cream of tartar

mild laxative

Potassium carbonate

K for antacid

Potassium hydroxide

Caustic potash;

saponifying agent

Potassium nitrate

“Saltpeter” “Salitre“

diuretic & food preservative

Potassium permanganate

Mineral chameleon;

oxidizing agent, antiseptic

titration indicator

Potassium sodium tartrate

“Rochelle’s salt”

cathartic & sequestering agent

Cesium (Cs)

Alkali metal used as catalyst in polymerization of resins

Copper (Cu)

Only reddish metal

third best electrical conductor

water purifier

Wilson’s disease

Copper toxicity disorder

penicillamine

Copper antidote

Copper sulfate

“Blue vitriol”

reagent in Benedict’s, Barfoed’s & Fehling’s tests;

Antidote for phosphorus emetic

Copper acetoarsenate

“Paris green”

insecticide

Brass

Alloy of copper + zinc

Bronze

Alloy of copper + tin (Sn)

Silver (Ag)

oligodynamic (germicidal)

Protein precipitant

Argyria

Toxicity of (Ag) Silver: Skin darkening

Saline Solution

Antidote of Silver (Ag)

Silver nitrate

Eye antiseptic for newborns

Lunar caustic;

wart treatment,

Gold (Au)

King of metals;

most malleable & ductile;

excellent conductor

Beryllium (Be)

Toxic not used in med

used in fluorescent lighting

Magnesium (Mg)

Lightest structural metal;

User in Flares

natural calcium channel blocker

Silicates, Carbonates, Sulfates

3 sources of magnesium (Mg)

Magnesium (Mg)

2nd most intercellular cation (in)

Calcium (Ca)

Second most abundant extracellular cation;

bones & muscle function

Osteomalacia

TRUE OR FALSE?

Deficiencies in calcium causes: Osteomalacia, Rickets, hypocalcemic tetany

Calcium chloride

“Muriate of lime”

calcium replenisher

Calcium hydroxide

“Slaked lime”

antacid & saponifying agent

Calcium sulfate

“plaster of Paris”

dental & surgical casts

Strontium (Sr)

Used in fireworks

Strontium chloride

Desensitizing agent for sensitive teeth (Sensodyne)

Barium (Ba)

Used in green fireworks

baritosis

Toxicity of Barium:

Epsom salt

antidote of barium =

Barium sulfate

“Barite”

radiopaque GIT imaging agent

Barium hydroxide

“Baryta water”

CO₂ absorbent

Barium Carbonate

(BaCO3) “Witherite”

Radium (Ra)

used in cancer therapy and diagnostic

Radium (Ra)

Discovered by Marie Curie

Zinc (Zn)

Used in ointment bases

Component of insulin and carbonic anhydrase

True

TRUE OF FALSE:

Deficiency of (Zn) Zinc causes parakeratosis

Zinc oxide

“Philosophers wool”

Zinc Chloride

Astrinagent for dentin

Zinc sulfate

White vitriol;

emetic & astringent (white lotion component)

Zinc Sulfide

“White sulfide”

Zince eugenol

Dental Cement

Cadmium (Cd)

Volatile metal used in bombs; toxic

Itai-Itai disease

Toxicity of Cadmium

Mercury (Hg)

Only metal that is liquid in room temp

minamata disease

Toxicity of mercury

True

TRUE OR FALSE:

Antidotes of mercury are:

Dimercaprol

Sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate

Boric acid

Sal sedativum; toxic if ingested or absorbed via broken skin

Sodium borate

Borax; antiseptic eye wash & wound dressing

Aluminium (Al)

Most abundant metal,

third most abundant element

Amphotheric Metal

Used in deodorants

Shaver’s disease

Disease from aluminum

Carbon

Only element that bond to itself

Carbon dioxide

Carbonic acid gas; treats persistent hiccups; potent respiratory stimulant

Silicon (Si)

Forms inert silica

Tin (Sn)

Forms stannous (+2) & stannic (+4) compounds; amphoteric oxides

Lead (Pb)

Astringent heavy metal;

poisoning called plumbism

Lead acetate

Sugar of lead; astringent; precursor of lead subacetate

Lead subacetate

Goulard’s extract; astringent & antiseptic

Titanium (Ti)

Strong reducing agent

Zirconium (Zr)

Former antiperspirant ingredient;

causes granulomas

Nitrogen (N)

Nonflammable, “without life”

Nitrous oxide

Laughing gas; inhalation anesthetic

Sodium nitrite

Antidote for cyanide poisoning

Aromatic Ammonia Spirit

Spirit of hartshorn; reflex respiratory stimulant

Phosphorus (P)

Used in manufacturing of fireworks

Arsenic (As)

Component of first anti-syphilis drug Salvarsan (606)

Arsphenamine

Paul Ehrlich’s anti-syphilis arsenic compound

Antimony (Sb)

In small doses: expectorant & emetic; larger: anthelmintic

potassium bitartrate

cream of tartar

Bismuth (Bi)

Astringent & antiseptic metal

used in silvering mirrors

Milk of bismuth

Bismuth hydroxide + subcarbonate; antacid and protectant

Tantalum (Ta)

Chemically inert metal used for surgical bone & tissue repair

Oxygen (O)

Dephlogisticated air;

Sulfur (S)

Stimulant in cathartics, alopecia

Fungalcudal action

Selenium (Se)

Trace element synergistic with vitamin E; toxic in excess

Selenium sulfide

Active ingredient in dandruff shampoo (Selsun Blue)