Common Names and Formulas of Chemical Compounds for SSC Exam 2023, Download PDF

Common Names of Chemical Compounds

Chemical Name of Compound

Common Chemical Compounds Formula

Uses of Compound

Aqua Fortis/ Spirit of Niter

Nitric Acid

HNO₃

Aqua fortis is used in the production of explosives, and fertilizers

Baking Soda

Sodium Bicarbonate or Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate

NAHCO₃

Baking soda is the main ingredient which is used in baking

Blue Vitriol

Copper Sulphate

CuSO₄.xH₂O

Blue Vitriol is used in insecticides and germicides, and also as electrolytes for batteries

Bleaching Powder

Calcium Oxychloride

CaOCl₂

Bleaching powder is mainly used in textile industry for bleaching cotton and linen

Bleach/ Antiformin/ Chloride of Soda

Sodium Hypochlorite

NaOCl

Borax

Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate/ Sodium Borate

Na₂[B₄O₅(OH)₄].8H₂O

Borax is used a cleaner and it is also used as a ingredient in paint, herbicides, toothpastes, skin creams, moisturizers, etc.

Calomel

Mercurous Chloride

Hg₂Cl₂

Calomel is used a fungicide, it was previously used treat malaria and yellow fever

Carborundum

Silicon Carbide

SiC

Carborundum is mainly used as an abrasive for cutting, polishing, grinding, and as an antislip additive

Carbolic Acid/ Phenol / Hydroxybenzene Phenic Acid

Phenol

C₆H₅OH

Carbolic acid is one of the oldest antiseptic agents and used as a disinfectant in household cleaners

Caustic Potash

Potassium Hydroxide

KOH

Caustic potash is used in potassium soaps and detergents and in liquid fertilizers

Chile Saltpetre

Sodium Nitrate

NaNO₃

Chile Saltpetre is an agricultural source of nitrogen is used for making fertilizers, high-strength glasses and explosives

Caustic Soda

Sodium Hydroxide

NaOH

Caustic soda is used in the manufacture of paper and pulp, alumina, soap, detergents and petroleum products. It is also used for water treatment, metal processing, mining, etc.

Cream of Tartar

Potassium Hydrogen Tartrate/ Potassium Bitartrate

KC₄H5O₆

Cream of tartar is used in the bakery for stabilizing egg whites

Chloroform

Trichloromethane

CHCl₃

Chloroform is used a solvent for floor polishes and lacquer. It is also used in paper, board and pesticide industries

CFC-12/ Freon-12

Dichlorodifluoromethane

CCl₂F₂

CFC-12 is used as a refrigerant in air conditioners and refrigerators

Dolomite

Calcium Magnesium Carbonate

CaMg(CO₃)₂

Dolomite is used as an element for the production of glass, ceramics and bricks

Dry Ice

Solid Carbon Dioxide

CO₂

Dry Ice is actually a solid form of CO₂. It is mainly used as a cooling agent, and in theatres for dramatic effects

Epsom Salt

Magnesium Sulphate Heptahydrate

MgSO₄.7H₂O

Epsom salt is used to treat body aches, pain and inflammation

Galena

Lead (II) Sulphide

PbS

Galena is mined for its silver content and it is a primary ore of lead

Glauber’s Salt

Sodium Sulphate Decahydrate

Na₂SO₄.10H₂O

It is used for medicinal purposes for the removal of certain drugs overdose such as paracetamol

Glycerol

Propane-1,2,3-triol

C₃H₈O₃

Glycerol is used in food and beverages industry, it serves as a solvent, humectant and also helps in food preservation

Green Vitriol

Ferrous Sulphate Heptahydrate

FeSO₄.7H₂O

Green vitriol is used for treatment against moss on the lawn and to treat iron clorosis of vine, berries and fruit trees

Gypsum

Calcium Sulphate Dihydrate

CaSO₄.2H₂O

Gypsum is used a retarder in Portland cement, and filler in paper and textiles

Heavy Water

Deuterium Oxide

D₂O

D₂O is used as neutron moderator in nuclear reactors

Hematite

Iron (III) Oxide/ Ferric Oxide

Fe₂O₃

Hematite is used to preparation of heavy metal separation, radiation shielding and to produce pigments

Hypo Solution

Sodium Thiosulphate Pentahydrate

Na₂S₂O₃.5H₂O

Hypo solution is mainly used for photographic paper processing

Laughing Gas

Dinitrogen Monoxide/ Nitrous Oxide

N₂O

Nitrous Oxide is used by dentists to make the patients comfortable during certain procedures

Quick Lime/ Burnt Lime

Calcium Oxide

CaO

Quick Lime is mainly used in the production of steel, paper and pulp production, treatment of water

Slaked Lime

Calcium Hydroxide

Ca(OH)₂

Slaked Lime is used in plasters, cements, and mortars

Limestone

Calcium Carbonate

CaCO₃

Limestone is used in building material, it is also one of the main ingredient in toothpaste

Litharge (Red) and Massicot (Yellow)

Lead (II) Oxide/ Lead Monoxide

PbO

Massicot and Litharge are used in the production of lead stabilizers, lead glass, enamels, and pottery

Methyl Ethyl Ketone/ Butanone

Butan-2-one

C₄H₈O

Butanone is the is main ingredient in paint formation

Marsh Gas

Methane

CH₄

Methane at high temperature reacts with steam to form Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen. The product is used in the production of ammonia for fertilizers and explosives

Milk of Magnesia

Magnesium Hydroxide

Mg(OH)₂

Milk of Magnesia acts as an antacid which helps at the time of indigestion, heartburn and sour stomach

Mohr’s Salt

Ammonium Iron (II) Sulphate

(NH₄)₂Fe(SO₄)₂.6H₂O

Mohr’s Salt is used to enhance the shelf life of iron and lower the level of oxidation

Muriatic Acid

Hydrochloric Acid

HCl

Muriatic Acid is used in leather processing, food additive, and in gelatin production

Oil of Vitriol

Sulphuric Acid

H₂SO₄

Sulphuric Acid is used for making fertilizer

Phosgene

Carbonyl Dichloride

COCl₂

Phosgene is used for making pesticides and plastics

Plaster of Paris

Calcium Sulphate Hemihydrate

CaSO₄.1/2H₂O

Plaster of Paris is mainly used as a protective coating on ceilings and walls. It is also used for making sculptures

Potash Alum/ Potassium Alum

Potassium Aluminum Sulphate Dodecahydrate

KAl(SO₄)₂.12H₂O

Potash Alum is mainly used in the purification of water, dyeing, and leather tanning

Propan-2-ol

Isopropyl Alcohol

(CH₃)₂CHOH

Isopropyl Alcohol is mainly used to treat tremors, hypertension, chest pain, heart rhythm disorder and other circulatory conditions

Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (Silica)

SiO₂

Quartz is used in making of glass, hydraulic fracturing proppant, foundry sand, and gemstones

Quicksilver

Mercury

Hg

Mercury is mainly used in barometers, thermostats, and thermometers

Rochelle Salt

Potassium Sodium Tartrate

KNaC₄H₄O₆.4H₂O

Rochelle salt is used in the production of gelatins and pectins

Sal Ammoniac

Ammonium Chloride

NH₄Cl

Ammonium Chloride is used industries as a cleaning agent

Saltpetre

Potassium Nitrate

KNO₃

Saltpetre is commonly used as a food preservative

Slaked Lime

Calcium Hydroxide

Ca(OH)₂

Slaked Lime is used to form mortars, cements and plasters

Table Salt/ Common Salt

Sodium Chloride

NaCl

Common Salt enhances the flavour of food and also plays a key role in food preservation

TNT

Trinitrotoluene

C₆H₂(NO₂)₃CH₃

TNT is used in bombs, military shells and grenades

Vermillion/ Cinnabar

Mercuric Sulphide

HgS

It is used in colour paints and also as one of the red coloring agents used in tattoo dyes

Washing Soda

Sodium Carbonate Decahydrate

NaCO₃.10H₂O

Washing Soda is used to unclog drains and in commercial detergent mixtures to treat hard water

Wintergreen Oil

Methyl Salicylate

C₈H₈O₃

Wintergreen oil is used in the traditional medicine for bacterial infections

White Vitriol

Zince Sulphate

ZnSO₄.7H₂O

White Vitriol is used in the manufacture of rayon fabric. It is used in eye drops and also for preserving skins and wood