CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

derivative    →   derivat

Derivative is a compound that is derived from some other compound and usually maintains its general structure, e.g. trichlormethane (chloroform) is a derivative of methane.

acetal    →   acetal

Acetals are organic compounds having the structure R₂C(OR’)₂ (R’ ≠ H). They are organic compounds formed by addition of alcohol molecules to aldehyde or ketone molecules. Originally, the term was confined to derivatives of aldehydes (one R = H), but it now applies equally to derivatives of ketones (neither R = H ). Mixed acetals have different R’ groups. The formation of acetals is reversible; acetals can be hydrolysed back to aldehydes (ketone) in acidic solutions.

Acetal, 1,1-diethoxyethane (CH₃CH(OC₂H₅)₂), is an organic compound, pleasant smelling, formed by addition of ethyl alcohol to ethanal (acetaldehyde). It is used as a solvent and in synthetic organic chemistry.

adenine    →   adenin

Adenine is a purine derivative. It is one of the major component bases of nucleotides and the nucleic acid DNA and RNA.

aldehydes    →   aldehidi

Aldehydes are a broad class of organic compounds having the generic formula RCHO, and characterized by an unsaturated carbonyl group (C=O). They are formed from alcohols by either dehydrogenation or oxidation. Their chemical derivation is indicated by the name al(cohol) + dehyd(rogenation). An example of these distinct aromatic compounds is formaldehyde.

asparagine    →   asparagin

Asparagine is neutral amino acids with polar side chains. The polar amino acids are an important class of amino acids since they provide many of the functional groups found in proteins. Asparagine is a common site for attachment of carbohydrates in glycoproteins. In general this is not very reactive residues. Asparagine is amide derivative of aspartic acid. Asparagine is not essential for humans, which means that it can be synthesized from central metabolic pathway intermediates and is not required in the diet.

• Abbreviations: Asn, N
• IUPAC name: 2,4-diamino-4-oxobutanoic acid
• Molecular formula: C₄H₈N₂O₃
• Molecular weight: 132.12 g/mol

heroin    →   heroin

Heroin (diacetylmorphine) is a narcotic compound that is a synthetic derivative of morphine. The compound is easily absorbed by the brain, due to its lipid-like nature, and is used as a sedative and a powerful analgesic. Highly addictive, it is abused by drug users.

ligroine    →   ligroin

Ligroine is a petroleum derivative with the boiling point from 6 °C-90 °C similar to petroleum ether. It is nonpolar. It is used as a solvent for fats, resins and latex.

mercaptides    →   merkaptidi

Mercaptides are derivatives of mercaptanes in which hydrogen from the SH-group is replaced with a metal atom.

purification    →   pročišćavanje

Purification is the physical or chemical process of removing contaminants from a compound. The physical processes may include sublimation, distillation, filtration, crystallisation, or extraction. The chemical processes may involve formation of a derivative, purification of the derivative and recovery of the original material in a pure form of the derivative.

chemical potential    →   kemijski potencijal

For a mixture of substances, the chemical potential of constituent B (μ_B) is defined as the partial derivative of the Gibbs energy G with respect to the amount (number of moles) of B, with temperature, pressure, and amounts of all other constituents held constant.

Also called partial molar Gibbs energy. Components are in equilibrium if their chemical potentials are equal.