Common Chemical Compounds and Reactions

Potassium lauryl sulphate (KC₁₂H₂₅SO₄), is very much similar to sodium lauryl sulphate. Mud soaps are the terms often associated with this detergent. It has a better cleansing action indicated by the presence of potassium ion.

Lithium hexafluorophosphate is an inorganic compound with the formula LiPF₆. This white crystalline powder is used in commercial secondary batteries, an application that exploits its high solubility in nonpolar solvents. Specifically, solutions of lithium hexafluorophosphate in propylene carbonate with dimethoxyethane serves as an electrolyte in lithium batteries.

Strontium carbonate (SrCO₃) is the carbonate salt of strontium that has the appearance of a white or grey powder. It occurs in nature as the mineral strontianite.The most common use is as an inexpensive colorant in fireworks. Strontium and its salts emit a brilliant red color in flame.

Strontium sulphate (SrSO₄) is the sulphate salt of strontium. It is a white crystalline powder and occurs in nature as the mineral celestine. Strontium sulphate is a polymeric material, isostructural with barium sulphate. Crystallized strontium sulphate is utilized by a small group of radiolarian protozoa, called the Acantharea, as a main constituent of their skeleton.

Caesium perchlorate ( CsClO_{4 )} forms white hygroscopic crystals, which are soluble in water and ethanol. CsClO₄ is the least soluble of the alkali metal perchlorates (followed by Rb, K, Li, and Na), a property which may be used for separatory purposes and even for gravimetric analysis.

Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2). It sublimates directly from solid to gas at -78.5°C without passing through the liquid phase, which is why it's called 'dry' ice. Sodium carbonate (washing soda) and ammonium chloride are different compounds entirely.

Sodium chloride (NaCl) acts as an accelerator for the setting of Plaster of Paris. When NaCl is added to the plaster slurry, it increases the rate of hydration and causes faster setting by providing additional ions that speed up the crystallization process.

Gypsum is added to cement to retard or slow down its setting time. This is crucial for construction applications where extended workability is needed. Gypsum controls the flash setting of cement by reacting with C3A (tricalcium aluminate) to form ettringite, preventing immediate hardening.

Gypsum is calcium sulphate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O). It's a soft sulfate mineral used in plaster, wallboard, and fertilizer.

Soda water is carbonated water containing dissolved carbon dioxide, which forms carbonic acid (H2CO3). This gives it a slightly acidic taste and effervescence.

Pearl ash (Potassium carbonate) = K₂CO₃

Foam fire extinguishers contain aluminium sulphate solution in one chamber and sodium bicarbonate solution in another. When mixed, they react to form aluminium hydroxide foam and carbon dioxide, which smothers the fire by excluding oxygen. Copper, cobalt, and nickel sulphates are not used in foam extinguishers.

Common salt (table salt) is chemically known as sodium chloride (NaCl). It is an ionic compound composed of sodium cations and chloride anions. Sodium nitrate is a different salt used in fertilizers and food preservation. Ammonium chloride has different applications. Calcium chloride is used for de-icing and dust control.

Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) is the recommended disinfectant for cleaning blood spills because it is effective against bloodborne pathogens including HIV and hepatitis B and C. It is inexpensive, readily available, and has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Iodine, alcohol, and quaternary ammonium compounds are not the first choice for blood spill decontamination.