CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

autocatalysis    →   autokataliza

Autocatalysis is a reaction in which its product can act as a catalyst. Oxalate oxidation with permanganate in an acid solution is a slow reaction

Mn²⁺-ions catalyse this reaction. When enough Mn²⁺-ions are created, the reaction occurs instantly.

carboanhidrase    →   karboanhidraze

Carboanhidrase is an enzyme that catalyzes creation or decomposition of carbonic acid, regulates proportion of carbon dioxide and carbonic acid in the blood plasma.

carbonates    →   karbonati

Carbonates are compounds composed of metal cation and carbonate anion (CO₃^2-), salts of carbonic acid.

carboxylate group    →   karboksilna skupina

Carboxylate group (-COOH) is a functional group which is common to all carboxylic acids.

carboxylate ion    →   karboksilatni ion

Carboxylate ion is gained when carboxylic acid reacts with water.

carboxylates    →   karboksilati

Carboxylates is a common name for all salts that carboxylic acids yield by reacting with hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates and other alkaline reagents.

carmine    →   karmin

Carmine is a bright crimson red colour gained from a type of plant lice. Its main ingredient is carmine acid, and it is often used in the colouring of cosmetics, medicines, foods.

base    →   baza

Historically, base is a substance that yields an OH - ion when it dissociates in solution, resulting in a pH>7. In the Brønsted definition, a base is a substance capable of accepting a proton in any type of reaction. The more general definition, due to G.N. Lewis, classifies any chemical species capable of donating an electron pair as a base. Typically, bases are metal oxides, hydroxides, or compounds (such as ammonia) that give hydroxide ions in aqueous solution.

beryllium    →   berilij

Beryllium was discovered by Friedrich Wöhler (Germany) and independently by A. B. Bussy (France) in 1828. The origin of the name comes from the Greek word beryllos meaning mineral beryl; also called glucinium from the Greek word glykys meaning sweet. It is steel-grey metal. It resists attack by concentrated nitric acid, has excellent thermal conductivity and is nonmagnetic. At ordinary temperatures, it resists oxidation in air. Beryllium and its salts are toxic and should be handled with the greatest of care. Beryllium is found mostly in minerals like beryl [AlBe₃(Si₆O₁₈)] and chrysoberyl (Al₂BeO₄). Pure beryllium is obtained by chemically reducing beryl mineral. Also by electrolysis of beryllium chloride. Its ability to absorb large amounts of heat makes it useful in spacecraft, missiles, aircraft, etc. Emeralds are beryl crystals with chromium traces giving them their green colour.

bismuth    →   bizmut

Bismuth was discovered by Claude Geoffroy (France) in 1753. The origin of the name comes from the German words Weisse Masse meaning white mass; now spelled wismut and bisemutum. It is hard, brittle, steel-grey metal with a pink tint. Stable in oxygen and water. Dissolves in concentrated nitric acid. Bismuth can be found free in nature and in minerals like bismuthine (Bi₂S₃) and in bismuth ochre (Bi₂O₃) Main use is in pharmaceuticals and low melting point alloys used as fuses.