List of Chemical Compounds With Unusual Names - List of Compounds

List of Compounds

Adamantane (tricyclodecane), a crystalline cycloalkane, an isomer of twistane.
Alcindoromycine an anthracycline antibiotic agent named after the character Alcindoro in La Bohème.
Angelic acid An organic acid found in garden angelica (Angelica archangelica), Umbelliferae, and many other plants.
Arsole (C4H5As), an analogue of pyrrole in which an arsenic atom replaces the nitrogen atom. The aromaticity of arsoles has been debated for many years. The compound in which a benzene ring is fused to arsole — typically on the carbon atoms 3 and 4 — is known as benzarsole.
BARF (tetrakisborate), a fluoroaryl borate B(Ar(CF3)2)4–, used as a non-coordinating anion
Barrelene (C8H8), the name derives from the resemblance with a barrel.
Basketane pentacyclodecane (C10H12), a polycyclic alkane with a structure similar to a basket.
Bastardane a close relative to adamantane and its proper name is ethano-bridged noradamantane. Because its unusual ethano-bridge was a deviation from the standard hydrocarbon caged rearrangements, it came to be known as bastardane—the unwanted child.
Bohemamine an anti-tumour agent named after the Puccini opera La Bohème.
Bongkrek acid a deadly respiratory toxin named after the fermented coconut dish tempe bongkrèk in which it occurs after contamination with the bacterium Burkholderia cocovenenans. Its name resembles a combination of Bong, Crack and Acid.
Borneol Named after the island Borneo.
Buckminsterfullerene or buckyballs, a form of carbon named after Buckminster Fuller due to its resemblance to Fuller's geodesic domes. The term was coined by Harold Kroto. The alternative name Footballene was coined by A.D.J. Haymet because the molecule also resembles a football.
Bullvalene tricyclodeca-3,6,9-triene (C10H10), was named by organic chemist Maitland Jones, Jr. for William "Bull" Doering who predicted its properties in 1963. Within a specific temperature range the molecule is subject to rapid degenerate Cope rearrangements with the result that all carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms are equivalent and that none of the carbon–carbon bonds is permanent.
Cadaverine a foul-smelling diamine produced by putrefaction of dead animal tissue.
Carbonite CO22-, an unstable polyatomic ion and carbene derived from carbonous acid.
catP the name of the enzyme responsible for chloramphenicol resistance in various species of bacteria.
Churchane A polycyclic alkane named for looking superficially like a church.
Collinemycin an anthracycline antibiotic agent named after the character Colline in La Bohème.
Constipatic acid , an aliphatic acid derived from the Australian Xanthoparmelia lichen.
Crapinon an anticholinergic drug, one side effect of which is constipation
Cubane a hydrocarbon whose eight carbon atoms occupy the vertices of a cube.
Cumene The common name for isopropylbenzene; derived from cumin (Cuminum cyminum)
Cummingtonite ((Mg,Fe)7Si8(OH)22), a magnesium-iron silicate hydroxide, first identified in Cummington, Massachusetts.
DAMN Diaminomaleonitrile, a cyanocarbon that contains two amine groups and two nitrile groups bound to an ethylene backbone.
Diabolic acid a series of long-chain dicarboxylic acids with chains of different lengths. Named after the Greek word diabollo meaning to mislead.
DEAD an apt acronym, given that diethyl azodicarboxylate is explosive; shock sensitive; carcinogenic; and an eye, skin, and respiratory irritant.
Dickite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4), a clay-like material with a number of manufacturing uses, one of which is as a coating for high-quality bond paper. It is named after its discoverer, Dr. W. Thomas Dick.
Dinocap (C18H24N2O6), a miticide and contact fungicide used to control powdery mildew in crops.
Dodecahedrane a Platonic hydrocarbon shaped like a dodecahedron.
Draculin an anticoagulant found in the saliva of vampire bats.
DuPhos A class of asymmetric ligands for asymmetric synthesis. The name DuPhos is derived from the chemical company that developed this type of ligand (DuP, DuPont) and the compound class of phospholanes (Phos) it belongs to.
Earthcide or Fartox (C6Cl5NO2) Also called 'Quintozene, some of the many names for pentachloronitrobenzene, a fungicide.
Fenestrane a class of compounds with a 'window pane motif' (the name fenestrane derives from the Latin word fenestra, meaning window), comprising four fused carbocycles centred on a quaternary carbon resulting a twice over spiro compound. The illustration at right shows a generic fenestrane as well as the specific examples fenestrane and fenestrane. Fenestranes are of considerable interest in theoretical chemistry though comparatively few have actually been synthesised.
Fluoboric acid HBF4, tetrafluoroborate or tetrafluoroboric acid.
Fornacite A rare lead, copper chromate arsenate hydroxide mineral (Pb2CuCrO4AsO4OH), named after its discoverer, Lucien Lewis Forneau.
Fucitol (C6H14O5), an alcohol derived from Fucus vesiculosis, a North Atlantic seaweed. Its optical isomers are also called D-fuc-ol and L-fuc-ol.
fucK the name of the gene that encodes L-fuculokinase, an enzyme that catalyzes a chemical reaction between L-fuculose, ADP, and L-fuculose-1-phosphate.
Furfural Furfural is an industrial chemical compound derived from a variety of agricultural byproducts, including corncobs, oat and wheat bran, and sawdust. The name furfural comes from the Latin word furfur, meaning bran, referring to its usual source.
Fukalite (Ca4Si2O6(CO3)(OH, F))2, a rare form of calcium silicocarbonate mined in the Fuka region of Japan.
Gossypol a toxin found in cottonseed used as a male oral contraceptive.
Germanic acid (Ge(OH)4), the hydrated form of germanium dioxide
HArF chemical formula of argon fluorohydride, the only known neutral compound of the noble gas argon.
HeH+ chemical formula of the helium hydride ion, a polyatomic ion containing the noble gas helium.
Hirsutene is also named after an animal: a goat (Hircus), occasionally the molecule is depicted upside down
Homocubane Any molecule synthesized from cubane.
Horseradish peroxidase An enzyme used extensively in molecular biology applications primarily for its ability to amplify a weak signal and increase detectability of a target molecule.
Housane A polycyclic alkane named "housane" due to looking superficially like a house.
Irene Hantzsch-Widman nomenclature for a monocyclic, heterocyclic compound with three ring atoms.
Josiphos A well-known catalyst, named after Josi Puleo, the technician who first prepared it. Mandyphos and Taniaphos also exist.
Ladderane An organic molecule that looks like a ladder because it contains two or more fused rings of cyclobutane.
Megaphone a ketone derived from the root of Aniba megaphylla.
Mimimycin an anthracycline antibiotic agent named after the character Mimì in La Bohème.
Miraculin a glycoprotein found in Miracle Fruit that makes sour foods taste sweet after contact with taste buds.
Moronic acid 3-oxoolean-18-en-28-oic acid, a natural triterpene
Mucic acid a product of nitric acid oxidation of galactose or galactose-containing compounds
Muscovite a phyllosilicate mineral of aluminium and potassium.
Musettamycin an anthracycline antibiotic agent named after the character Musetta in La Bohème.
Marcellomycin an anthracycline antibiotic agent named after the character Marcello in La Bohème.
Naftazone (C11H9N3O2), a vasoprotective drug. The NAFTA free-trade zone is the area covered by the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Nonanal (C9H18O), an aldehyde derived from nonane.
Olympiadane A mechanically-interlocked compound based on the topology for the Olympic rings.
Olympicene Refers to the fused 5-benzene rings, C19H11, which is reminiscent of the Olympic Flag.
Orotic acid (pyrimidinecarboxylic acid), has been referred to as vitamin B13. Often misspelled "erotic acid".
PEPPSI PEPPSI is short for Pyridine-Enhanced Precatalyst Preparation Stabilization and Initiation.
Performic acid a strongly oxidizing acid related to formic acid.
Periodic acid or per-iodic acid is pronounced /ˌpɜr.aɪˈɒdɨk/PURR-eye-OD-ik and not */ˌpɪərɪˈɒdɨk/PEER-ee-OD-ik. It refers to one of two interconvertible species: HIO4 (metaperiodic acid), or H5IO6 (orthoperiodic acid - illustrated at right). The per- prefix in the name denotes that iodine is present in its highest possible (+VII) oxidation state.
Periplanone B A pheromone of the female American cockroach. Named after the scientific name of this species, Periplaneta americana, not because of periplanarity.
Picket Fence Porphyrin 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(alpha,alpha,alpha-2-pivalamidophenyl)porphyrin, used to model heme enzyme active sites.
Pikachurin a retinal protein named after Pokémon character / species Pikachu
Prismane an isomer of benzene with the carbon atoms arranged in the shape of a triangular prism.
Psicose (C6H12O6), a rare low-calorie sugar that provides 0.3% as much energy as sucrose.
Putrescine a foul-smelling diamine produced by the putrefaction of dead animal tissue.
Quadratic acid a square-shaped organic compound, also called squaric acid.
R-CMP (Ribocytidine monophosphate) a component of RNA, but also the acronym for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Ranasmurfin a blue protein from the foam nests of a tropical frog, named after the Smurfs.
Rednose a sugar derived from the degradation of rudolphomycin.
Rhamnetin a flavonol dye derived from buckthorn (rhamnus).
Rhamnose a sugar naturally occurring in buckthorn (rhamnus).
Rudolphomycin an anthracycline antibiotic agent named after the character Rodolfo (Rudolph) in La Bohème.
Ru(Tris)BiPy-on-a-stick shorthand form of (trans-1,4-bisbenzene)(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II).
SEX An abbreviation of sodium ethyl xanthate, it has structural formula CH3CH2OCS2Na, IUPAC name sodium O-ethylcarbonodithioate, and it is a flotation agent used in the mining industry;
Skatole a substance of disagreeable odor that occurs in feces, but also in lower concentrations in flowers, orange blossoms, jasmine.
Sonic hedgehog a protein named after Sonic the Hedgehog
Spermine, Spermidine, polyamine growth factors involved in cellular metabolism.
Thebacon Dihydrocodeinone enol acetate, an opioid analgesic or antitussive.
Tetrahedrane a Platonic hydrocarbon shaped like a tetrahedron.
Titanic acid the hydrated form of titanium dioxide.
Traumatic acid a substance occurring in plants, with a role in healing damaged tissue.
Uranate The chemical term for an oxyanion of the element uranium.
Uranocene U(C8H8)2, a uranium sandwich compound similar to ferrocene (Fe(C5H5)2) with two co-ordinating aromatic and anionic cyclooctatetraenide rings sandwiching the U atom (formally in its +IV oxidation state).
Vomitoxin a mycotoxin occurring in grains.

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