List of chemical compounds with unusual names
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Chemical nomenclature, replete as it is with compounds with complex names, is a repository for some very peculiar and sometimes startling names. A browse through the Physical Constants of Organic Compounds in the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (a fundamental resource) will reveal not just the whimsical work of organic chemists, but the sometimes peculiar compound names that occur as the consequence of simple juxtaposition. Some compounds whose names derive legitimately from their chemical makeup or from the geographic region where they may be found include:
- Arsole (C4H5As) - an analogue of azole in which an arsenic atom replaces the nitrogen atom. Such a replacement in a benzene ring, where the arsenic atom replaces a carbon atom, is known as benzarsole.
- Bastardane - A close relative to Adamantane and it's proper name is ethano-bridged Noradamante. Because its unusual Ethano-bridge was a variation from the standard hydrocarbon caged re-arrangements, it came to be known as Bastardane - the unwanted child.
- Buckminsterfullerene or buckyballs - A form of carbon named after Buckminster Fuller due to its resemblance to Fuller's geodesic domes.
- Cadaverine - A foul-smelling diamine produced by putrefaction of dead animal tissue.
- Crapinon - an anticholinergic drug, one side effect of which is constipation.
- Cubane - A hydrocarbon whose eight carbon atoms occupy the vertices of a cube.
- Cummingtonite ((Mg,Fe)7Si8()22) - a magnesium-iron silicate hydroxide, first identified in Cummington, Massachusetts.
- DEAD (diethyl azodicarboxylate) - an apt acronym, given that DEAD is explosive; shock sensitive; carcinogenic; and an eye, skin, and respiratory irritant.
- Dickite (Al2Si2O5()4) - a clay-like material with a number of manufacturing uses, one of which is as a coating for high-quality bond paper. It is named after its discover, Dr. W. Thomas Dick.
- Draculin - An anticoagulant found in the saliva of vampire bats.
- Fucitol (C6H14O5) - an alcohol derived from Fucus vesiculosis, a North Atlantic seaweed. Its optical isomers are also called D-fuc-ol and L-fuc-ol.
- Fukalite (Ca4Si2O6(CO3)(,F))2 - a rare form of calcium silicocarbonate mined in the Fuka region of Japan.
- Gossypol - A toxin found in cottonseed used as a male contraceptive.
- Megaphone - a ketone derived from the root of Aniba megaphylla.
- Naftazone (C11H9N3O2), a vasoprotective drug. The NAFTA free-trade zone is the area covered by NAFTA.
- Orotic acid (pyrimidinecarboxylic acid) - has been referred to as vitamin B-13.
- Penguinone - a cyclohexadienone.
- Performic acid - a strongly oxidizing acid related to formic acid.
- Periodic acid (HIO4)
- Putrescine - A foul-smelling diamine produced by the putrefaction of dead animal tissue.
- R-CMP - R-cytodine monophosphate, a component of RNA, but also the acronym for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
- Skatole - a substance of disagreeable odor that occurs in feces, but also in lower concentrations in flowers, orange blossoms, jasmine.
- Spermine, Spermidine - polyamine growth factors involved in cellular metabolism.
- Titanic acid - The hydrated form of titanium dioxide.
- Traumatic acid is the name of an acid secreted by ants.
- Unununium (Uuu) - the former temporary name of the chemical element number 111, a synthetic transuranium element. This element was named roentgenium (Rg) in November 2004.
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