The 100 Most Important Chemical Compounds: A Reference Guide

by Richard L. Myers

Overview

What is a chemical compound? Compounds are substances that are two or more elements combined together chemically in a standard proportion by weight. Compounds are all around us - they include familiar things, such as water, and more esoteric substances, such as triuranium octaoxide, the most commonly occurring natural source for uranium. This reference guide gives us a tour of 100 of the most important, common, unusual, and intriguing compounds known to science. Each entry gives an extensive explanation of the composition, molecular formula, and chemical properties of the compound. In addition, each entry reviews the relevant chemistry, history, and uses of the compound, with discussions of the origin of the compound's name, the discovery or first synthesis of the compound, production statistics, and uses of the compound.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313337581
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/30/2007
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.81(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Richard L. Myers is Professor of Environmental Science at Alaska Pacific University. He has taught chemistry, oceanography, meteorology, and physics classes and conducted research on urban environmental issues. His work has appeared in the Jourbanal of Environmental Health,The Northern Engineer, Jourbanal of Chemical Education, and Jourbanal of College Science Teaching. His teaching awards include the Carnegie Foundation Alaska Professor of the Year, Higher Education Award from the United Methodist Church, President's Forum Teaching Award, and Ohaus Award for Innovations in College Science Teaching. teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in chemistry, statistics, and environmental science. Dr. Myers' published research includes work on air quality, water quality, science education, and science and the humanities.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
What Is a Chemical Compound?
Types of Chemical Compounds
Organic and Inorganic Compounds
Ionic and Molecular Compounds
Naming Compounds
Molecular and Structural Formulas
Entry Format
1. Acetic Acid
2. Acetone
3. Acetylene
4. Acetylsalicylic Acid
5. Adenine
6. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
7. Adipic Acid
8. Aluminum(III) Oxide Al2O3
9. Ammonia
10. Ascorbic Acid
11. Aspartame
12. Benzene
13. Benzoic Acid
14. Biphenyl and PCBs
15. Butane
16. Butene
17. Butyric and Fatty Acids
18. Caffeine
19. Calcium Carbonate
20. Calcium Oxide (Lime)
21. Calcium Sulfate (Gypsum)
22. Carbon Dioxide
23. Carbon Monoxide
24. Chloroform
25. Chlorophyll
26. Cholesterol
27. Citric Acid
28. Cocaine
29. Cytosine, Thymine, and Uracil
30. DDT
31. DEET
32. Dichlorodifluoromethane, CFC-12
33. Dopamine, l-Dopa
34. Epinephrine (Adrenaline)
35. Ethane
36. Ethene (Ethylene)
37. Ether
38. Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol)
39. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA)
40. Fluoxetine (Prozac)
41. Formaldehyde
42. Formic Acid
43. Glucose
44. Glycerol (Glycerin)
45. Guanine
46. Hydrochloric Acid
47. Hydrogen Peroxide
48. Hydrogen Sulfide
49. Ibuprofen
50. Indigo
51. Insulin
52. Iron(III) Oxide
53. Isooctane
54. Isoprene
55. l-Dopa. See 33. Dopamine, l-Dopa
56. Methane
57. Methyl Alcohol (Methanol)
58. Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
59. Monosodium Glutamate
60. Morphine
61. Naphthalene
62. Nicotine
63. Nitric Acid
64. Nitric Oxide
65. Nitrogen Dioxide
66. Nitrous Oxide
67. Nitroglycerin
68. Norethindrone
69. Penicillin
70. Phenol
71. Phosphoric Acid
72. Piperine
73. Potassium Carbonate
74. Potassium Nitrate
75. Propane
76. Propylene
77. Quinine
78. Saccharin
79. Silicon Dioxide (Silica)
80. Sodium Bicarbonate
81. Sodium Carbonate
82. Sodium Chloride
83. Sodium Hydroxide
84. Sodium Hypochlorite
85. Strychnine
86. Styrene
87. Sucrose
88. Sulfuric Acid
89. Tetrafluoroethylene
90. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
91. Thymine. See 29. Cytosine, Thymine, and Uracil
92. Trinitrotoluene (TNT)
93. Toluene
94. Triuranium Octaoxide
95. Uracil. See 29. Cytosine, Thymine, and Uracil
96. Urea
97. Vanillin
98. Vinyl Chloride
99. Water
100. Xylene
Common and Ancient Names of Substances
Glossary
Selected Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Myers offers his criteria for inclusion on his list—compounds that were chosen because of their importance to health, industry, and society, and because of their historical impact. Although one can criticize that alternative compounds have been left off any list such as this, there are a wide variety of compounds represented, including pharmaceuticals, natural products, and commodity chemicals, alongside obvious entries such as water and ammonia. Entries are arranged alphabetically by compound name. Each entry is two to four pages long and includes basic chemical information (Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number, select physical properties, molecular formula), followed by a narrative discussing the compound's history, significance to society, and general chemistry and use. However, the human side is not forgotten. Roles of many significant scientists, inventors, and companies are detailed in the development and use of these compounds. The book includes a concise yet informative introductory chapter dealing with basic chemistry principles and concepts, as well as a glossary and a table of common and ancient names of substances…. Recommended. General readers; lower- and upper-division undergraduates; two-year technical program students.” —Choice

“Giving both general and scientific information that might be useful to a variety of users, this is recommended for large public and college/university libraries, especially those serving chemistry departments.” —Library Jourbanal

“The 100 Most Important Chemical Compounds is filled with fascinating information. It concludes with a glossary of chemical terms and an extensive bibliography. The author proposes that this book would be especially useful for science teachers and for students needing a general review of common chemical compounds. It is also a wonderful source for persons interested in the history of science.” —Association for Women in Science

“The author has included anecdotal information about people, places, and products pertaining to the compound, as well as useful historical information….The clear writing makes this volume accessible to lay readers….A useful addition.” —School Library Jourbanal

“[T]he text in The 100 Most Important Chemical Compounds adds another dimension to information about chemicals. This title will be useful for chemistry reference collections in both large and small libraries.” —Booklist

From the Publisher

Chemicals play a role in our everyday lives, from the water we drink to the air we breathe. Here, Myers (environmental science, Alaska Pacific Univ.) provides information on 100 chemicals important to society, heath, and industry. He opens with an introduction to chemical compounds and a summary of the entry format. The discussion of chemicals that follows includes acetic acid (the acid in vinegar), xylene (a chemical used to make plastics and polyester), the synthetic pesticide DDT, penicillin, chlorophyll, and methane. The three- to five-page A-to-Z entries contain each chemical's name, formula, structure, mass, CAS number, melting and boiling points, and density as well as information on its importance and, in some cases, history. The book closes with a table of common names, a guide to further reading, and a glossary. Because there is no mention of selection criteria, readers are left wondering why these particular chemicals are discussed.

Correction:In the review of Anti-Americanism: History, Causes, and Themes(LJ9/1/07), the publisher was listed incorrectly. The publisher is not Greenwood but Greenwood World Publishing, a separate imprint.

—Linda Zellmer

Library Journal

Gr 7 Up -The introduction to this in-depth, alphabetically arranged work provides an overview of the science of chemical compounds and explains the format of the entries. Each one begins with a line drawing portraying the compounda€™s structure, followed by a heading listing its chemical name, Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) number, molecular formula, molar mass, composition, melting point, boiling point, and density. The densely laid out main text discusses the compounda€™s chemistry, history, manufacture, and societal impact. The author has included anecdotal information about people, places, and products pertaining to the compound, as well as useful historical information. For example, the entry on hydrogen peroxide discusses its use in propelling the space capsules of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. Tables, maps, and illustrations (a schematic of a nuclear power plant, archival cartoons) appear throughout. The clear writing makes this volume accessible to lay readers. Endnotes include a list of the a€œCommon and Ancient Names of Substances.a€ A useful addition.-Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

School Library Journal