Chemical uses, chemistry information and industry news
Many of the consumer products we use on a daily basis contain chemical ingredients that might sound strange and unfamiliar. Yet some of these chemicals, including those found in cleaning, hygiene, and personal care products, are actually very common. In most cases, we’re more familiar with the commercial brand rather than the chemical or generic name. These are the five key...
Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is an odourless, white or yellow inorganic compound that’s usually in flaky or lumpy solid form at room temperature. It’s often used to make liquid soap, although KOH has many other household and industrial applications too. For example, it’s a common component in liquid drain cleaners and paint and varnish removers. Potassium hydroxide is also used as an...
While many chemicals in the workplace may seem innocuous, some of them can pose a significant hazard. Knowing which ones are hazardous and how to handle hazardous chemicals properly can help to prevent injuries and any chronic detrimental effects. Here we look at the top 10 most hazardous chemicals in the workplace, including:Arsenic Lead Benzene Chromium Toluene Cadmium Zinc Mercury ...
Monopropylene glycol – also known simply as propylene – is a viscous, colourless liquid with a distinct sweet taste (but please don’t drink it). Almost odourless, it’s both miscible with water and hygroscopic, i.e. it attracts and absorbs moisture. The chemical formula of monopropylene glycol is C3H8O2, which can also be written as: CH3CH(OH)CH2OH This formula tells us that it has two alcohol...
Potassium hydroxide (KOH) - which you might also hear called caustic potash or lye - is an inorganic compound. Just like other strong bases, it’s highly caustic and completely dissociates into ions when dissolved in water.The other seven strong bases include:LiOH (lithium hydroxide) NaOH (sodium hydroxide) Ca(OH)2 (calcium hydroxide) CsOH (caesium hydroxide) Sr(OH)2 (strontium hydroxide) RbOH (rubidium hydroxide) Ba(OH)2...
Just like many inorganic substances, potassium hydroxide doesn’t contain degradable functional groups. This means that it does not have a detrimental impact on the biological oxygen demand in water.It does, however, dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, which can elevate the pH level of systems that do not have sufficient buffers. If a large quantity of an alkaline substance...
Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) is an inorganic compound that can be made through both wet and dry processes. The former involves the treatment of sulphuric acid, while the latter uses phosphate ore. Also called orthophosphoric acid, phosphoric acid is a solid white crystal at room temperature. However, it’s more commonly available as an 85% aqueous solution, which is colourless, viscous, and non-volatile....
Making a standard solution is a core skill all chemists and lab technicians need to know. A standard solution is simply a solution in which the exact concentration of a specific element or compound is known. They’re used as the ultimate reference point to measure other unknown substances.Keep reading to learn more about standard solutions and discover the two primary...
From medicine to chemical manufacturing, potassium permanganate has various uses and applications. Its antiseptic properties make it an essential medicine that’s often used to treat wounds and skin conditions, such as dermatitis. Alongside its medicinal applications, potassium permanganate is used to treat water and preserve food. Chemical manufacturing companies and laboratories also use it as an oxidising agent.With such a diverse...
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