Common and Trade Names of Chemicals
This is intended to help High School Chemistry students answer questions about the chemical name and/or formula of various everyday substances. This list is, of course, incomplete as there are many more common substances than those included below.
The following table of the chemical names and molecular formulae of common chemicals is arranged in alphabetical order of the common or trade name of the chemical. If you are not sure what the molecular formulae mean you can look up the symbols by viewing the list of chemical elements (listed in alphabetical order of chemical symbol). You can also read more about molecular formulae of organic molecules.
Common / |
Chemical Name2,3 |
Molecular Formula |
Notes: |
||
Alcohol, wood |
methanol, methyl alcohol |
CH3OH |
|||
Alcohol, grain |
ethanol or ethyl alcohol |
C2H5OH |
|||
Alcohol, rubbing |
2-propanol, propan-2-ol, |
C3H8O |
|||
Alcohol |
ethanol or ethyl alcohol |
C2H6O |
|||
Alka Seltzer* |
sodium bicarbonate¶ |
CHNaO3 |
|||
Antifreeze |
ethylene glycol |
C2H6O2 |
|||
Antiperspirant |
aluminum chlorohydrate |
Al2Cl(OH)5 |
|||
Aqua regia |
1:3 mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids |
HNO3 : 3 HCl |
|||
Aspirin* |
acetylsalicylic acid |
C9H8O4 |
|||
Baking soda |
sodium bicarbonate, |
NaHCO3 |
|||
Baking powder |
sodium bicarbonate¶ |
NaHCO3 |
|||
Banana oil |
amyl acetate, isoamyl acetate |
C7H14O2 |
|||
Battery acid |
sulphuric acid |
H2SO4 |
|||
Bleach (laundry) |
sodium hypochlorite¶ |
NaClO |
|||
Boracic acid |
boric acid |
H3BO3 |
|||
Borax |
sodium tetraborate decahydrate |
Na2B4O7 ⋅10H2O |
|||
Brass |
alloy of copper and zinc |
Cu and Zn |
|||
Bronze |
alloy of copper and tin |
Cu and Sn |
|||
Calgon* |
calcium hexametaphosphate¶ |
(NaPO3)6 |
|||
Caustic soda |
sodium hydroxide |
NaOH |
|||
Chalk |
calcium carbonate |
CaCO3 |
|||
Chloroform |
Trichloromethane |
CHCl3 |
|||
Chrome yellow |
Lead(II) chromate |
PbCrO4 |
|||
Cream of tartar |
Potassium hydrogen tartrate |
KHC4H4O6 |
|||
Diamond |
carbon |
C |
|||
Drano* |
sodium hydroxide¶ |
NaOH |
|||
Easy-off* |
sodium hydroxide¶ |
NaOH |
|||
Egg shells |
calcium carbonate |
CaCO3 |
|||
Epsom salts |
magnesium sulphate |
MgSO4 ⋅7H2O |
|||
Ether |
Ethyl ether, also known as |
C4H10O |
|||
Formalin |
40% solution of formaldehyde+ |
CH2O |
|||
Glauber's salt |
Hydrated sodium sulphate |
Na2SO4 |
|||
Glycerine |
glycerol |
C3H5(OH)3 |
|||
Grain alcohol |
Ethanol or ethyl alcohol |
C2H5OH |
|||
Graphite |
carbon |
C |
|||
Green vitriol |
Hydrated ferrous sulphate |
FeSO4 |
|||
Gypsum (also known as plasterboard) |
calcium sulphate dihydrate |
CaSO4 ⋅2H2O |
|||
Inverted sugar |
Mixture of glucose and fructose |
C6H12O6 |
|||
Laughing gas |
Dinitrogen oxide |
N2O |
|||
Lime |
calcium oxide |
CaO |
|||
Limestone |
Calcium carbonate |
CaCO3 |
|||
Liquid paper* |
titanium dioxide¶ |
TiO2 |
|||
Lithopone |
Mixture of zinc sulphide and barium sulphate |
ZnS and BaSO4 |
|||
Lye |
Sodium hydroxide |
NaOH |
|||
Magnesia |
magnesium oxide |
MgO |
|||
Marble |
calcium carbonate |
CaCO3 |
|||
Margarine |
partially saturated fatty acid |
various |
|||
Marsh gas |
Methane |
CH4 |
|||
MEK |
Methyl ethyl ketone, butanone |
C4H8O |
|||
Milk of magnesia |
magnesium hydroxide |
Mg(OH)2 |
|||
Moth balls |
Traditionally: naphthalene |
C10H8 |
|||
MSG |
monosodium glutamate |
C5H8NNaO4 |
|||
Nutrasweet®* |
aspartame¶ |
C14H18N2O5 |
|||
Paris green |
Double salt of copper acetate and copper arsenite |
Cu(C2H3O2)2 ·3Cu(AsO2)2 |
|||
Pewter |
alloy of tin, copper, antimony, and lead |
Sn, Cu, Sb & Pb |
|||
Picric acid |
2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) |
C6H3N3O7 |
|||
Plaster |
calcium hydroxide |
Ca(OH)2 |
|||
Plaster of Paris |
Calcium sulphate hemihydrate |
CaSO4 ⋅½ H2O |
|||
Potash |
potassium carbonate |
K2CO3 |
|||
Prussian blue |
Ferric ferrocyanide |
Fe7(CN)18 ⋅14 H2O |
|||
Pyrite ('Fool's Gold') |
Iron disulphide |
FeS2 |
|||
Quartz |
silicon dioxide |
SiO2 |
|||
Quicklime |
calcium oxide |
CaO |
|||
Rolaids®* |
dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate¶ |
NaAl(OH)2CO3 |
|||
Rubbing alcohol |
2-propanol, propan-2-ol, |
C3H8O |
|||
Salt (Table Salt) |
sodium chloride |
NaCl |
|||
Sand |
silicon dioxide |
SiO2 |
|||
Sani-flush®* |
Sodium bisulphate, with sodium carbonate (and other ingredients)¶ |
NaHSO4 |
|||
Saran™ wrap* |
poly-1,1-dichloroethylene |
[polymer] |
|||
Silica |
silicon dioxide |
SiO4 |
|||
Slaked lime |
Calcium hydroxide |
Ca(OH)2 |
|||
Smelling salts |
ammonium carbonate |
(NH4)2CO3 ·H2O |
|||
Solder |
alloy of tin and antimony |
||||
Sugar (Table Sugar) |
sucrose |
C12H22O11 |
|||
Teflon®* |
polymer of tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) |
(C2F4)n |
|||
TNT |
Trinitrotoluene |
C7H5N3O6 |
|||
Toluol |
toluene |
C7H8 or |
|||
Tums®* |
calcium carbonate¶ |
CaCO3 |
|||
Tylenol®* |
paracetamol (British English); acetominophen (in USA)¶ |
C8H9NO2 |
|||
Vinegar |
acetic acid, ethanoic acid |
C2H4O2 |
|||
Vitamin C |
ascorbic acid |
C6H8O6 |
|||
Washing soda |
Sodium carbonate decahydrate (hydrated sodium carbonate) |
NaCO3 ⋅10H2O |
|||
White lead |
basic lead carbonate |
(PbCO3)2 ·Pb(OH)2 |
|||
Windex®* |
ammonia¶ plus detergents, dyes and fragrances. |
NH3 |
|||
Wood alcohol |
Methyl alcohol, methanol |
CH3OH |
|||
- Alcohol, wood ( methanol, methyl alcohol )
CH3OHMany uses, including as a solvent, and as an antifreeze in pipelines and windshield washer fluid. Highly toxic to humans.
- Alcohol, grain ( ethanol or ethyl alcohol )
C2H5OHMany uses, incl. as a fuel (e.g. for lightweight rocket-powered racing aircraft), in alcoholic beverages, as an antiseptic and as a solvent.
- Alcohol, rubbing ( 2-propanol, propan-2-ol, propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol )
C3H8OMany uses, including in healthcare/clinical situations. Examples of uses incl. as a cooling, soothing application for bedridden patients and athletes, for cleansing surgeons' hands and instruments and for the disinfection of skin prior to penetration by a hypodermic needle. Also used as an antiseptic against vegetative bacteria, fungi and viruses - but not spores.
- Alcohol ( ethanol or ethyl alcohol )
C2H6OThe type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages and also some thermometers.
- Alka Seltzer* ( sodium bicarbonate¶ )
CHNaO3¶ Among other ingredients.
* Trade name, formula found online - see note below this list. - Antifreeze ( ethylene glycol )
C2H6O2Used as an automotive antifreeze. Highly toxic.
- Antiperspirant (aluminum chlorohydrate)
Al2Cl(OH)5Used in deodorants and antiperspirants.
Aluminum chlorohydrate refers to a group of salts of which the molecular formula given is an example.
The general formula is AlnCl(3n-m)(OH)m - Aqua regia
( 1:3 mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids )HNO3 : HClHighly corrosive, fuming yellow or red solution, also called nitro-hydrochloric acid. Various chemical uses incl. etching, cleaning glassware of organic compounds, and producing chloroauric acid. - Aspirin®* ( acetylsalicylic acid )
C9H8O4Aspirin is a registered trademark owned by Bayer, the generic term is acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).
- Baking soda ( sodium bicarbonate )
NaHCO3also known as: sodium hydrogen carbonate
An amphoteric compound. Aqueous solutions are mildly alkaline. Mainly used in baking to react with other ingredients to release CO2, which helps dough rise. Other uses incl. for neuralizing acids and bases, medical uses and cleaning uses. - Baking powder ( sodium bicarbonate¶ )
NaHCO3Used in baking where it reacts with other ingredients, releasing carbon dioxide (CO2), helping dough rise.
¶ Among other ingredients. Some baking powders contain sodium bicarbonate with one or more acidic phosphates. - Banana oil ( amyl acetate, isoamyl acetate )
C7H14O2Used as a "banana flavour" in some foods, also as a solvent for some varnishes and nitrocellulose lacquers. A honey bee pheromone and used to attract many honeybees to a small area.
- Battery acid ( sulphuric acid )
H2SO4Used in lead-acid batteries for cars and other vehicles. Formerly known as vitriol.
- Bleach, laundry ( sodium hypochlorite¶ )
C2H6O¶ Common "domestic" bleach is often a solution of approx 3–6% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) with "oxygen" and other chemicals.
- Boracic acid ( boric acid )
H3BO3Sometimes used in products for antiseptic, insecticide, or flame retardant properties. Toxic esp. if ingested or inhaled.
- Borax ( sodium tetraborate decahydrate )
Na2B4O7⋅10H2OUsed as a multipurpose cleaner and bleach.
- Brass ( alloy of copper and zinc )
Cu and ZnUsed to make fixtures, fittings and ornaments. Examples date from the Roman period (history).
- Bronze ( alloy of copper and tin )
Cu and SnOther metal elements may also be present. Now used mainly for ornaments, previously various products incl. weapons. Examples date from antiquity, incl. the European 'Bronze Age', approx. 2500BC in Britain.
- Calgon®* (calcium hexametaphosphate¶ )
(NaPO3)6¶Among other ingredients. Calgon is a brand registered trademark of several corporations. Its name was is a shortened version of the phrase "calcium gone".
* Trade name, formula found online - see note below this list. - Caustic soda ( sodium hydroxide )
NaOHUsed in products for cleaning, unblocking sinks, drains and even toilets. Highly corrosive alkali.
- Chalk ( calcium carbonate )
CaCO3Uses incl. blackboard chalk, pavement (or, in USA, "sidewalk") chalk, gymnastics and rock-climbing, and sometimes in toothpaste.
- Chloroform ( trichloromethane )
CHCl3There are many natural sources of chloroform, incl. certain seaweeds and algae. Used to be a popular anesthetic until found to be toxic, then replaced by alternatives. Used as laboratory solvent. Hazardous.
- Chrome yellow ( Lead(II) chromate )
PbCrO4Important because of the colour associated with (because from) this pigment - a bright yellow as seen on traditional American School Buses. However, the actual chemical has now largely been replaced by others that generate a very similar colour.
- Cream of tartar ( potassium hydrogen tartrate )
KHC4H4O6Byproduct of winemaking.
Most household uses concern cooking (preparation of food), also limited cleaning uses. - Diamond ( carbon )
CUses incl. diamond jewellery and diamond glass-cutters.
- Drano* ( sodium hydroxide¶ )
NaOHDrain cleaning product, USA.
¶ Among other ingredients.
* Trade name, formula found online - see note below this list. - Easy-off* ( sodium hydroxide¶ )
NaOHOven cleaner.
¶ Among other ingredients.
* Trade name, formula found online - see note below this list. - Egg shells ( calcium carbonate )
CaCO3Natural product. Part of hens' eggs not usually eaten or used in cooking.
- Epsom salts ( magnesium sulphate )
MgSO4⋅7H2OHistorically various "home" medicinal uses, also traditionally used as ingredient of bath salts.
- Ether (Ethyl ether+ )
CH2O
- Formalin (40% solution of formaldehyde+ )
CH2O+also known as methanal, an aldehyde.
Used in some products as a disinfectant or anti-bacterial agent. - Glauber's salt ( Hydrated sodium sulphate )
Na2SO4Historically used in the manufacture of paper and glass, as well as as a cathartic and diuretic.
- Glycerine ( glycerol )
C3H5(OH)3Used in pharmaceutical products, e.g. some cough syrups, expectorants, toothpastes, mouthwashes, skin care products, shaving creams, hair care products, soaps, water based personal lubricants.
- Grain Alcohol ( ethanol or ethyl alcohol )
C2H5OHMany uses, incl. as a fuel (e.g. for lightweight rocket-powered racing aircraft), in alcoholic beverages, as an antiseptic and as a solvent.
- Graphite ( carbon )
CThe "lead" in traditional pencils is a form of graphite.
- Green vitriol ( Hydrated ferrous sulphate )
FeSo4Known since ancient times as copperas, has modern uses as a colourant (in the manufacture of inks) and in horticulture where it is used as a lawn conditioner and moss killer.
- Gypsum ( calcium sulphate dihydrate )
CaSO4⋅2H2OAlso known as "plasterboard". Used in construction, incl. interior walls in houses. Usually covered in a thin layer of plaster then either paint, wallpaper or tiles.
- Inverted sugar ( mixture of glucose and fructose )
C6H12O6 and C6H12O6Inverted sugar gives more powerful preserving qualities (i.e. a longer shelf life) to products that use it than does sucrose. [Glucose and fructose have the same empirical formulae, but slightly different structures - the the two molecular formulae in the previous column are the same.]
- Laughing gas ( dinitrogen oxide )
N2OBest known as an early anesthetic drug. Has many other uses apart from in medicine, incl. as an oxidizer in rocket motors, in internal combustion engines in vehicle racing, and as an aerosol spray propellant.
- Lime ( calcium oxide )
CaOLess common in modern homes than in the past. Glows when heated; was used in theatres before invention of electric lighting. Health risks on skin contact or inhalation.
- Limestone ( calcium carbonate )
CaCO3A sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcite and/or aragonite. Limestone has been widely used in architecture worlwide.
- Liquid paper* ( titanium dioxide¶ )
TiO2Generic name: Correction Fluid.
¶ Among other ingredients. The organic solvent 1,1,1-trichloroethane was used as a thinner in the 1980s and later associated with health concerns. Correction fluids were reformulated to remove suspected toxic solvents.
* Trade name, formula found online - see note below this list. - Magnesia ( magnesium oxide )
MgOPreviously used as a home-remedy to treat various ailments, incl. heartburn and sore stomach, as an antacid, magnesium supplement, and as a short-term laxative, also to improve symptoms of indigestion - not without side effects.
- Marble ( calcium carbonate )
CaCO3Used to make ornaments, bathroom or kitchen tiles, some worksurfaces and even steps e.g. outside a front door.
- Margarine ( partially saturated fatty acid )
variousUsed as an ingredient in cooking.
- Marsh gas ( methane )
CH4Main use is as a fuel. Also used in some industrial chemical processes.
- MEK ( methyl ethyl ketone, butanone )
C4H8O = CH3COC2H5A common solvent used in processes involving gums, resins, cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose coatings and in vinyl films. One of the organic chemicals known as ketones.
- Milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide)
Mg(OH)2Prior to availability of modern pharmaceuticals, "milk of magnesia" was used as a home-remedy, incl. as an antacid to neutralize stomach acid, and sometimes as a laxative.
- Moth balls
( Traditionally: naphthalene,
Modern: 1,4-dichlorobenzene )Trad. C10H8 ; Modern C6H4Cl2Due to the flammability of naphthalene, modern mothballs use 1,4-dichlorobenzene as main ingredient. Both have the strong, pungent odour associated with mothballs. - MSG ( monosodium glutamate )
C5H8NNaO4Naturally occurring non-essential amino acid. Used as a food additive & commonly marketed as a flavour enhancer.
- Nutrasweet®* ( aspartame¶ )
C14H18N2O5¶ Among other ingredients.
* Trade name, formula found online - see note below this list. - Paris green
(double salt of copper acetate and copper arsenite)Cu(C2H3O2)2·3Cu(AsO2)2Used to be a popular pigment used in artists' paints. Was once used to kill rats in Parisian sewers - hence its common name. Has been used as an insecticide for produce, e.g. certain fruits - but now widely considered toxic. - Pewter ( alloy of tin, copper, antimony, and lead )
Sn, Cu, Sb & PbModern uses incl. decorative objects, historically also tableware, e.g. tankards, plates etc.
- Picric acid ( 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) )
C6H3N3O7Main use in explosives. Various other uses incl. in organic chemistry, metallurgy, to produce a fixative solution for histology samples, and even in workplace drug testing.
- Plaster ( calcium hydroxide )
Ca(OH)2Used in construction, incl. interior walls in houses.
- Plaster of Paris
( calcium sulphate hemihydrate )CaSO4⋅½ H2OSeveral uses (e.g. in art/sculpture) but primarily a building material similar to mortar or cement. Plaster of Paris is initially a dry powder that is mixed with water to form a paste - which liberates heat (generating temperatures of up to around 60°C), then hardens. Can be hazardous. - Potash ( potassium carbonate )
K2CO3Potash is the common name for various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form.
- Prussian blue ( ferric ferrocyanide )
Fe7(CN)18⋅14 H2OProbably best known as a synthetic paint pigment. Also has many other uses incl. as a stain in histopathology, for spotting metal surfaces in toolmaking, in analytical chemistry and in medicine.
- Pyrite, 'Fool's Gold' ( iron disulphide )
FeS2Naturally occurring crystal found in the earth's crust. Of interest to collectors of crystals, rocks and minerals.
- Quartz ( silicon dioxide )
SiO2Used in jewellry and ornamental objects incl. many types of crystals, e.g. rose quartz and citrine.
- Quicklime ( calcium oxide )
CaOQuicklime (also known as slaked lime) is a white, caustic and alkaline crystalline solid at room temperature.
- Rolaids®*
( dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate¶ )NaAl(OH)2CO3¶ Among other ingredients. Rolaids is a brand of antacid previously also used for muscle soreness and stomach aches associated with constipation.
* Trade name, formula found online - see note below this list. - Rubbing alcohol ( 2-propanol, propan-2-ol, propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol )
C3H8OMany uses, including in healthcare/clinical situations. Examples of uses incl. as a cooling, soothing application for bedridden patients and athletes, for cleansing surgeons' hands and instruments and for the disinfection of skin prior to penetration by a hypodermic needle. Also used as an antiseptic against vegetative bacteria, fungi and viruses - but not spores.
- Salt, Table Salt (sodium chloride)
NaClUsed to season food (during food preparation and at the table), also used in the past as a method of food preservation.
- Sand ( silicon dioxide )
SiO2Various uses incl. building sand, sand for "sand pits" for children to play in, and for use in ornaments e.g. to hold candles upright in suitable containers.
- Sani-flush®*
( Sodium bisulphate, with sodium carbonate ¶ )NaHSO4 with Na2CO3¶ Among other ingredients.
Brand of toilet bowl cleaner popular in USA.
* Trade name, formula found online - see note below this list. - Saran™ wrap * ( poly-1,1-dichloroethylene )
[polymer]A form of very thin plastic wrapping used to coveer foodstuffs. Similar to the popular UK brand, "Cling Film".
* Trade name, formula found online - see note below this list. - Silica ( silicon dioxide )
SiO4Silica "gel" (which is a solid) is sometimes used as beads packed in vapour-permeable plastic and used as a desiccant to control local humidity, e.g. in product packaging. It is also used in some forms of cat litter products.
- Slaked lime ( calcium hydroxide )
Ca(OH)2Slaked lime (also known as quicklime) is a white, caustic and alkaline crystalline solid at room temperature. Unstable and potentially hazardous.
- Smelling salts ( ammonium carbonate )
(NH4)2CO3·H2OHistoric household item: Used in C19th to revive fainting women, still included in First Aid boxes in WWII. Sometimes used in sporting situations and by those feeling faint.
- Solder ( alloy of tin and antimony )
Sn and Sb (compositions of alloys vary)Soldered joints exist in most consumer electronics products. Solder may also be found in the home if used for home-electronics, e.g. hobby projects.
- Sugar, Table Sugar (sucrose )
C12H22O11Used in cooking. Use as a sweetener.
- Teflon®* ( polymer of tetrafluoroethylene, PTFE )
(C2F4)nUsed as a non-stick coating for cookware and in containers and pipework for reactive and corrosive chemicals.
* Trade name, formula found online - see note below this list. - TNT ( trinitrotoluene )
C7H5N3O6Among the most commonly used explosives.
Valued due to its relative insensitivity to shock and friction, which reduces risk of accidental detonation. - Toluol, old name ( toluene )
C7H8 or C6H5CH3Use as a common solvent to dissolve paints, paint thinners, silicone sealants, rubber, printing ink, adhesives (glues), etc.
- Tums®* ( calcium carbonate¶ )
CaCO3¶ Among other ingredients. Non-prescription drug for relief from acid indigestion and heartburn. Also considered a calcium supplement.
* Trade name, formula found online - see note below this list. - Tylenol®*
(paracetamol, British English; acetominophen, in USA ¶)C8H9NO2¶ Main active ingredient, but other ingredients present. North American brand of drug for relief from pain, fever, symptoms of allergies, cold, cough, and flu etc.
* Trade name, formula found online - see note below this list. - Vinegar ( acetic acid, ethanoic acid )
C2H4O2Food seasoning and various household cleaning uses.
- Vitamin C ( ascorbic acid )
C6H8O6Essential vitamin.
- Washing soda ( sodium carbonate decahydrate - hydrated sodium carbonate )
NaCO3⋅10H2OAlso known as "soda ash". Domestic use as a water softener.
- White lead ( basic lead carbonate )
(PbCO3)2·Pb(OH)2Previously used as an ingredient in lead paint and in a cosmetic product. However, now banned in many countries due to fears of lead poisoning.
- Windex®*
( ammonia¶ plus detergents, dyes and fragrances )NH3¶ Among other ingredients. Glass and hard surface cleaner, recently reformulated to include more environmentally-friendly ingredients.
* Trade name, formula found online - see note below this list. - Wood alcohol ( methyl alcohol, methanol )
CH3OHMany uses, including as a solvent, and as an antifreeze in pipelines and windshield washer fluid. Highly toxic to humans.
See also more molecular formulae of common chemicals.