CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

alcohol    →   alkohol

Alcohols are compounds in which a hydroxy group, -OH, is attached to a saturated carbon atom. Smaller members are water soluble, inflammable and are useful as organic solvents and fuels.

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.

amide    →   amid

Amide is an organic compound that contains a carbonyl group bound to nitrogen. The simplest amides are formamide (HCONH₂) and acetamide (CH₃CONH₂).

amino acids    →   aminokiseline

Amino acids are compounds containing both a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) and an amino group (-NH₂ ). The most important are the α-amino acids, in which the -NH₂ group in attached to the C atom adjacent to the -COOH group. In the β-amino acids, there is an intervening carbon atom.

ammonia    →   amonijak

Ammonia is a colourless gas, NH₃, with a strong pungent odour. It is easily soluble in water and alcohol. Liquid ammonia has some similarity to water as it is hydrogen bonded and has a moderate dielectric constant, which permits it to act as an ionising solvent.

alkenes    →   alkeni

Alkenes are acyclic branched or unbranched hydrocarbons having one or more double carbon-carbon bonds in their molecules. In the systematic chemical nomenclature, alkene names end in the suffix -ene. The general formula is C_nH_(2n+2)-2x were x is the number of double bonds. Alkenes that have only one double bond form a homologous series: ethene (ethylene), CH₂=CH₂, propene, CH₃CH₂=CH₂, etc. Alkenes typically undergo addition reactions to the double bond.

alkynes    →   alkini

Alkynes (acetylenes) are acyclic branched or unbranched hydrocarbons having one or more triple carbon-carbon bond. In the systematic chemical nomenclature alkyne names end in the suffix -yne. The general formula is C_nH_(2n+2)-4x were x is the number of triple bonds. Alkynes that have only one triple bond form a homologous series: ethyne (acetylene), CH≡CH, propyne, CH₃CH≡CH, etc. Like alkenes, alkynes undergo addition reaction.

allotrope    →   alotrop

Allotropes are the elements which exist in two or more different forms in the same physical state. Allotropes generally differ in physical properties and may also differ in chemical activity.

Diamond, graphite and fullerenes are three allotropes of the element carbon. Graphite is a soft, black, slippery substance; by contrast, diamond is one of the hardest substances known. The different properties of the allotropes arise from their chemical structures. Diamonds typically crystallize in the cubic crystal system and consist of tetrahedrally bonded carbon atoms. Graphite crystallizes in the hexagonal system. In the fullerenes, the carbon atoms taking the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, or tube.

In some cases, the allotropes are stable over a temperature range, with a definite transition point at which one changes into the other. For instance, tin has two allotropes: white (metallic) tin stable above 13.2 °C and grey (nonmetallic) tin stable below 13.2 °C.

The term allotropes may also be used to refer to the molecular forms of an element. Ozone is a chemically active triatomic allotrope of the element oxygen.

barrier film    →   barijerni film

Barrier film is a thin, continuous, non-porous, electrically insulating film on metal surfaces (usually comprised of oxides).

beta radiation    →   beta zračenje

Streams of beta particles are known as beta ray or beta radiation. Beta rays may cause skin burns and are harmful within the body. A thin sheet of metal can afford protection to the skin.