Chemical Common Names and Systematic Names Flashcards

A complete set of flashcards covering common chemical names, their IUPAC systematic names, chemical formulas, and primary industrial or domestic uses.

Water

Systematic Name: Dihydrogen monoxide. Formula: $H_2O$. Uses: Drinking, cleaning, agriculture, industry, solvent.

Table Salt

Systematic Name: Sodium chloride. Formula: $NaCl$. Uses: Food seasoning, preservation, de-icing roads, chemical industry.

Baking Soda

Systematic Name: Sodium hydrogen carbonate. Formula: $NaHCO_3$. Uses: Baking, cleaning, antacid, fire extinguishers.

Vinegar

Systematic Name: Acetic acid (dilute solution). Formula: $CH_3COOH$. Uses: Food flavoring, preservative, cleaning agent.

Chalk / Limestone

Systematic Name: Calcium carbonate. Formula: $CaCO_3$. Uses: Building material, cement, chalk, antacid, filler.

Epsom Salt

Systematic Name: Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate. Formula: $MgSO_4 \cdot 7H_2O$. Uses: Bath salts, fertilizer, laxative.

Caustic Soda

Systematic Name: Sodium hydroxide. Formula: $NaOH$. Uses: Soap making, drain cleaner, paper production.

Bleach

Systematic Name: Sodium hypochlorite. Formula: $NaOCl$. Uses: Disinfectant, bleaching clothes, water treatment.

Ammonia

Systematic Name: Nitrogen trihydride. Formula: $NH_3$. Uses: Fertilizer, cleaning agent, refrigeration.

Rubbing Alcohol

Systematic Name: Isopropyl alcohol. Formula: $C_3H_7OH$. Uses: Disinfectant, antiseptic, solvent.

Sugar (Cane sugar)

Systematic Name: Sucrose. Formula: $C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}$. Uses: Sweetener, food energy source, fermentation.

Alcohol (Drinking)

Systematic Name: Ethanol. Formula: $C_2H_5OH$. Uses: Beverages, fuel, solvent, disinfectant.

Dry Ice

Systematic Name: Solid carbon dioxide. Formula: $CO_2$. Uses: Cooling agent, stage effects (fog), preservation.

Laughing Gas

Systematic Name: Dinitrogen monoxide. Formula: $N_2O$. Uses: Anesthetic, propellant in whipped cream cans.

Quicklime

Systematic Name: Calcium oxide. Formula: $CaO$. Uses: Cement, glass, steel making, neutralizing acids.

Slaked Lime

Systematic Name: Calcium hydroxide. Formula: $Ca(OH)_2$. Uses: Mortar, plaster, water treatment, soil neutralizer.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Systematic Name: Hydrogen peroxide. Formula: $H_2O_2$. Uses: Disinfectant, bleaching, rocket propellant.

Gypsum

Systematic Name: Calcium sulfate dihydrate. Formula: $CaSO_4 \cdot 2H_2O$. Uses: Plaster of Paris, drywall, fertilizer.

Potash

Systematic Name: Potassium carbonate. Formula: $K_2CO_3$. Uses: Fertilizer, glass making, soap production.

Borax

Systematic Name: Sodium tetraborate decahydrate. Formula: $Na_2B_4O_7 \cdot 10H_2O$. Uses: Cleaning agent, laundry booster, glass and ceramics.

Table Sugar Substitute

Systematic Name: Aspartame. Formula: $C_{14}H_{18}N_2O_5$. Uses: Artificial sweetener in diet foods and drinks.

Cream of Tartar

Systematic Name: Potassium hydrogen tartrate. Formula: $KC_4H_5O_6$. Uses: Baking stabilizer, cleaning agent.

Alum

Systematic Name: Potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate. Formula: $KAl(SO_4)_2 \cdot 12H_2O$. Uses: Water purification, pickling, deodorant, dyeing.

Washing Soda

Systematic Name: Sodium carbonate decahydrate. Formula: $Na_2CO_3 \cdot 10H_2O$. Uses: Laundry, glass making, water softener.

Plaster of Paris

Systematic Name: Calcium sulfate hemihydrate. Formula: $CaSO_4 \cdot \frac{1}{2}H_2O$. Uses: Casts, sculptures, building material.

Lye (Potash Lye)

Systematic Name: Potassium hydroxide. Formula: $KOH$. Uses: Soap making, biodiesel, cleaning agent.

Vinegar Spirit

Systematic Name: Dilute hydrochloric acid. Formula: $HCl(aq)$. Uses: Descaling, cleaning, food processing (pickling).

Battery Acid

Systematic Name: Sulfuric acid. Formula: $H_2SO_4$. Uses: Car batteries, fertilizers, industrial chemical.

Muriatic Acid

Systematic Name: Hydrochloric acid. Formula: $HCl$. Uses: Cleaning, metal processing, food additive (very dilute).

Aqua Regia

Systematic Name: Nitric acid + Hydrochloric acid. Formula: $HNO_3 + HCl\,(3:1)$. Uses: Dissolves gold and platinum in labs.

Nitric Acid

Systematic Name: Nitric acid. Formula: $HNO_3$. Uses: Fertilizers, explosives (TNT), dyes.

Glucose

Systematic Name: Glucose (Dextrose). Formula: $C_6H_{12}O_6$. Uses: Energy source, IV fluids, fermentation.

Fructose

Systematic Name: Fructose. Formula: $C_6H_{12}O_6$. Uses: Sweetener in fruits, food industry.

Aspirin

Systematic Name: Acetylsalicylic acid. Formula: $C_9H_8O_4$. Uses: Pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, heart medicine.

Formalin

Systematic Name: Formaldehyde solution. Formula: $CH_2O(aq)$. Uses: Preservative, disinfectant, embalming fluid.

Glycerin (Glycerol)

Systematic Name: Propane-1,2,3-triol. Formula: $C_3H_8O_3$. Uses: Skin moisturizer, medicine, food additive.

Paraffin Wax

Systematic Name: Long-chain alkanes (CnH2n+2). Formula: $C_{20}H_{42}$ (approx.). Uses: Candles, waterproofing, lubricants.

Teflon

Systematic Name: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Formula: $(C_2F_4)_n$. Uses: Non-stick cookware, electrical insulation.

Urea

Systematic Name: Carbamide. Formula: $(NH_2)_2CO$. Uses: Fertilizer, animal feed, plastics, resins.

TNT

Systematic Name: Trinitrotoluene. Formula: $C_6H_2(NO_2)_3CH_3$. Uses: Explosives, demolition, mining.

Milk of Magnesia

Systematic Name: Magnesium hydroxide. Formula: $Mg(OH)_2$. Uses: Antacid, laxative, wastewater treatment.

Stomach Acid

Systematic Name: Hydrochloric acid (in gastric juice). Formula: $HCl$. Uses: Digestion of food in the stomach.

Carbolic Acid

Systematic Name: Phenol. Formula: $C_6H_5OH$. Uses: Antiseptic (historical), plastics, resins.

Vinegar Salt

Systematic Name: Sodium acetate. Formula: $CH_3COONa$. Uses: Food preservative, heating pads, lab reagent.

Rock Salt

Systematic Name: Halite (Sodium chloride, mineral). Formula: $NaCl$. Uses: De-icing, water softening, food preservation.

Drying Agent

Systematic Name: Calcium chloride. Formula: $CaCl_2$. Uses: Dehumidifier, drying agent, road de-icer.

Silica Gel

Systematic Name: Silicon dioxide (amorphous). Formula: $SiO_2$. Uses: Desiccant (moisture absorber), packaging.

Glass (main component)

Systematic Name: Silicon dioxide. Formula: $SiO_2$. Uses: Glass, ceramics, optics.

Charcoal (Activated)

Systematic Name: Carbon. Formula: $C$. Uses: Water filters, air purifiers, poison antidote.

Diamond

Systematic Name: Carbon (allotrope). Formula: $C$. Uses: Jewelry, cutting tools, abrasives.

Graphite

Systematic Name: Carbon (allotrope). Formula: $C$. Uses: Pencil lead, lubricants, electrodes.

Laughing Water

Systematic Name: Carbonated water (dissolved CO2). Formula: $H_2O + CO_2$. Uses: Soft drinks, soda, food industry.

Quick Silver

Systematic Name: Mercury. Formula: $Hg$. Uses: Thermometers (historic), lamps, amalgams.

Table Salt Substitute

Systematic Name: Potassium chloride. Formula: $KCl$. Uses: Salt replacement in food, fertilizer.

Saltpeter

Systematic Name: Potassium nitrate. Formula: $KNO_3$. Uses: Fertilizers, fireworks, gunpowder.

Soda Ash

Systematic Name: Sodium carbonate. Formula: $Na_2CO_3$. Uses: Glass, detergents, paper industry.

Vinegar Powder

Systematic Name: Sodium diacetate. Formula: $NaH(C_2H_3O_2)_2$. Uses: Food seasoning, flavoring agent.

Antifreeze

Systematic Name: Ethylene glycol. Formula: $C_2H_6O_2$. Uses: Car engine coolant, de-icing fluids.

Nail Polish Remover

Systematic Name: Acetone. Formula: $C_3H_6O$. Uses: Solvent, nail polish remover, lab cleaning.

Chloroform

Systematic Name: Trichloromethane. Formula: $CHCl_3$. Uses: Old anesthetic (historical), solvent.