Trivial name
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In chemistry, a trivial name (also common or vernacular name) is a non-systematic name. That is, the name is not derived according to the rules of the IUPAC nomenclature system. Many trivial names continue to be used because their IUPAC equivalents are considered too cumbersome for everyday use. For example, "tartaric acid", a compound found in wine, has a systematic name of 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid.
Trivial names often have their roots in the history of chemistry and alchemy. Some of the names were given before the structure and composition of the molecule was known. Some are based on the name of the discoverer, for a remarkable property of the substance, or for a common source of the substance.
Trivial names often give no information about the composition or structure of the molecule. In some cases, trivial names can be ambiguous or carry different meanings in different industries or geographic regions. On the other hand, systematic names can be so convoluted and difficult to parse that the trivial name is preferred. For example, the most important structural feature of Diazonamide is that it's a nonribosomal peptide, which is denoted by the suffix "amide".
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[edit] Examples
[edit] Organic chemistry
- tert-Amyl alcohol — 2-Methylbutan-2-ol
- Carbolic acid — Phenol
- Chloroform — Trichloromethane
- Chloroprene — 2-Chloro-1,3-butadiene
- Freon — Dichlorodifluoromethane
- Isopropyl alcohol — Propan-2-ol
- Pinacolone — 3,3-Dimethylbutan-2-one
- Caffeine — 1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione
- Cholesterol — 10,13-dimethyl-17-(6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol
[edit] Inorganic chemistry
- Potash — potassium carbonate
- Caustic potash or Lye — Potassium hydroxide
- Soda ash — Sodium carbonate
- Caustic soda or Lye — Sodium hydroxide
- Lime or unslaked lime or quicklime — Calcium oxide
- Slaked lime or caustic lime — Calcium hydroxide
- Muriatic acid — hydrochloric acid
- Baking soda or bicarbonate of soda — Sodium bicarbonate
- Epsom salt — hydrated magnesium sulfate
- Oil of Vitriol — Sulfuric acid
- Water
