CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

antacid    →   antacid

Antacid is any mildly alkaline substance, such as sodium bicarbonate, taken internally or in water solution to neutralize excess stomach acidity.

barytes    →   barit

Barytes is an orthorhombic mineral, form barium sulphate, BaSO₄, the chief of barium. It is usually white but my also be yellow, grey or brown. Large deposits occur in Andalusia, Spain and in the USA.

acylaction reaction    →   reakcije aciliranja

Acylaction reaction involves the introduction of an acyl group (RCO-) into a compound. An alkyl halide is reacted with an alcohol or a carboxylic acid anhydride e.g.

The introduction of an acetyl group (CH₃CO-) is acetylation, a process used for protecting -OH groups in organic synthesis.

alanine    →   alanin

Alanine is hydrophobic amino acids with aliphatic side chain. It is the second simplest amino acid, but used the most in proteins. The nonpolar hydrophobic amino acids tend to cluster together within proteins, stabilizing protein structure by means of hydrophobic interactions. Alanine is a nonessential amino acid, meaning it can be manufactured by the human body, and does not need to be obtained directly through the diet.

• Abbreviations: Ala, A
• IUPAC name: 2-aminopropanoic acid
• Molecular formula: C₃H₇NO₂
• Molecular weight: 89.09 g/mol

aluminium    →   aluminij

Aluminium was discovered by Friedrich Wöhler (Germany) in 1827. The origin of the name comes from the Latin word alumen meaning alum. It is soft, lightweight, silvery-white metal. Exposed surfaces quickly form protective oxide coating. Metal reacts violently with oxidants. Third most abundant element in the earth’s crust. Aluminium is the most abundant metal to be found in the earth’s crust, but is never found free in nature. Aluminium is obtained by electrolysis from bauxite. Used for many purposes from airplanes to beverage cans. Too soft in its pure form so less than 1 % of silicon or iron is added, which hardens and strengthens it.

benzaldehyde    →   benzaldehid

Benzaldehyde (C₆H₅CHO) is a colourless volatile oily liquid. M.p. -26 °C, b.p. 178.1 °C. It is used in flavourings, perfumery and dyestuffs industry.

benzoate    →   benzoati

Benzoate (benzenecarboxylate) is a salt or ester of benzoic (benzencarboxylic) acid, C₆H₅COOH.

amphoteric substances    →   amfoterna tvar

Amphoteric substances can behave as acids or as bases depending upon their surroundings. So aluminium hydroxide in reaction with acids will behave as a base

and in reaction with bases it will act as an acid

anhydrous    →   anhidrid

Anhydrous (without water) is an applied to minerals which do not contain water of crystallization or water of chemical combination. For example, strongly heated copper (II) sulphate pent hydrate (CuSO₄•5H₂O) produces anhydrous copper (II) sulphate (CuSO₄). Less stable and more dangerous to use than hydrated.

antimony    →   antimon

Antimony has been known since ancient times. The origin of the name comes from the Latin word stibium meaning mineral stibnite. It is hard, brittle, silvery-white semimetal. Stable in dry air. Toxic by ingestion or inhalation. Antimony is found in stibnite (Sb₂S₃) and in valentinite (Sb₂O₃). It is alloyed with other metals to increase their hardness. Also in the manufacture of a few special types of semiconductor devices. Also in plastics and chemicals. A few kinds of over-the-counter cold and flu remedies use antimony compounds.