MISCELLANEOUS AND USEFUL CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS (Part-I)

Boric acid (H3BO3 or B(OH)3)(H_3BO_3\ or\ B(OH)_3)(H3​BO3​ or B(OH)3​) is used as an antiseptic. It is a weakly acidic hydrate of boric oxide with mild antiseptic, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

White phosphorus, represented by the chemical formula P₄, is the most reactive substance. It starts burning automatically in the air because its ignition temperature is around 30°C. White phosphorus is kept in water to protect it from the air. The reason for its rapid reactivity is the unstable or strained tetrahedral structure.

Methanol is also known as methyl alcohol. It is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH₃OH. Pure methanol is an important substance used in chemical synthesis. It is a toxic liquid and is not potable.

Natural gas, coal, and petroleum are all natural sources of hydrocarbons. Mica is a versatile mineral, which is found in the form of fragments in igneous and metamorphic rocks. It is a complex silicate compound. Asbestos is often found in igneous rocks.

Cement contains limestone [Ca)], gymsum [CaSO42H2O], and clay, some other substances like alumina (Al2O3), iron oxide (Fe2O3) and silicon dioxide (SiO2), etc. are also added.

Gypsum reduces the rate of solidification of cement. From the point of view of chemical structure, it is the sulphate of calcium, in which two molecules of water are also present. The chemical formula of gypsum is (CaSO4,2H2O)(CaSO_4, 2H_2O)(CaSO4​,2H2​O). It is a layered mineral, also known as ‘lanite’. Gypsum is used in making plaster of Paris, fertilizer, glass, porcelain, fire-resistant brick, etc.

Gypsum is the name given to a mineral categorized as calcium sulfate mineral, and its chemical formula is calcium sulfate dihydrate, CaSO4.2H2OCaSO_4 .2H_2OCaSO4​.2H2​O.

• Calcium Chlorohypochlorite(Bleaching Powder) - Ca(CIO)2Ca(CIO)_2Ca(CIO)2​
• Sodium bicarbonate (Baking soda)- NaHCO_3
• Calcium Sulphate Hemihydrate(Plaster of Paris)- (CaSO41/2H2O)(CaSO_4 1/2 H_2O)(CaSO4​1/2H2​O)

The common name for hydrogen peroxide is bleach. The removal of color from a colored substance and whitening it is called bleaching. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)(H_2O_2)(H2​O2​) is a very pale blue, slightly thicker liquid than water, which appears colorless in dilute solution. It has strong oxidizing properties and is a powerful bleach. It is used as a disinfectant, oxidizer, and propellant in rockets.

Sodium tetraborate decahydrate or sodium tetraborate is often known as borax. It is usually available in the form of a soft white powder, which dissolves easily in water. The chemical formula of borax is (Na2B4O7.10H2O)(Na_2B_4O_7 .10H_2O)(Na2​B4​O7​.10H2​O). It is a crystalline solid, used in detergents, cosmetics, etc.

Calamine is the old name for zinc mineral. It is a mixture of zinc carbonate and hydrous zinc silicate.