A complete A-Z dictionary of chemistry terms.
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Introduction to amines Amines are organic functional group where one of more hydrogen atoms of ammonia (NH3) are replaced by alkyl or aryl groups. When alkyl group is attached with ammonia it is known as alkylamines and when aryl group is attached it is known as arylamine. When both groups are present in amine, it … Read more
Definition of Phenol Phenols are organic aromatic compounds containing -OH functional group directly attached with the aromatic ring with general formula C6H5OH. Phenols are also known as carbolic acid. Depending on the number of hydroxyl group attached to aromatic ring phenols are classified as monohydric, dihydric, polyhydric etc. Compounds containing -OH group in a side-chain … Read more
Definition of nitrous acid Nitrous acid (HNO2) is an unstable weak acid available in cold acidic solution or in the form of its salts or esters. Nitrous acid decomposes to form nitric oxide (NO) and nitric acid (HNO3). Structure Nitrous acid is a planar molecule where two oxygen atoms attached with one nitrogen atom by … Read more
Definition of alkenes Alkenes are hydrocarbons that contain carbon carbon double bond (C=C). The general formula of alkenes are CnH2n in comparison to alkanes with general formula CnH2n+2. Alkanes are saturated with hydrogens, while alkenes are two hydrogen less than alkanes. Thus it is known as unsaturated hydrocarbons. For example: Nomenclature IUPAC system In IUPAC … Read more
Definition of carboxylic acid Organic compounds containing carboxyl functional group (-COOH) are called carboxylic acid. The general formula of carboxylic acid is: Carboxylic acid is composed of two functional groups carbonyl group (-CO-) and hydroxyl group(-OH). The name carboxyl derived from the first four letters of carbonyl and the last four letters of hydroxyl. Classification … Read more
Definition of amide Amides (RCONH2) are functional group where carbonyl group attached to a amine group. In simple amides nitrogen attached with two hydrogen atoms. And in complex amides nitrogen attached with one or two aliphatic or aromatic group replacing the hydrogen atom. The carbon-nitrogen bond in amide is known as amide linkage. This bond … Read more
DNA Definition DNA or Deoxyribonucleic acid is a complex organic molecule that carries the genetic information of growth, development and reproduction of all living organisms. These are stored in every cell and passed down from the parents to children. DNA Structure and Function DNA is made of nucleotides. Nucleotides are composed of sugar group, phosphate … Read more
Aldehyde Definition An aldehyde (RCHO) or alkanal is a carbonyl compound (compounds contain -CO- as a functional group) where carbonyl group is bonded to one carbon (or alkyl group) and one hydrogen atom. Ethanal is an example of aldheyde where one methyl group and one hydrogen group is added to the carbonyl carbon. But formaldehyde (HCHO) … Read more