What is Hydrogen Bromide? Hydrogen bromide (HBr) is a colourless or sometimes faint yellow gas. It has a sharp, irritating smell and is highly toxic. It can also exist as a liquid — either as hydrobromic acid (HBr dissolved in water) or as a compressed gas under pressure (anhydrous hydrogen bromide). This substance is extremely […]
What is Bis(2-chloroethyl)? Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether (also known as bis dichloroethyl ether), molecular formula C₄H₈Cl₂O, is a colourless, nonflammable liquid with a strong, unpleasant odour. It dissolves easily in water, and some of it will slowly evaporate into the air. It does not occur naturally. What is Bis(2-chloroethyl) used for? In the Environment Sources and Routes […]
What is Propylene Glycol? Propylene glycol, also known as 1,2-propanediol or propane-1,2-diol, is an organic compound and a type of diol (a double alcohol). Its chemical formula is C₃H₈O₂ or HO-CH₂-CHOH-CH₃. It’s sometimes referred to as α-propylene glycol to distinguish it from its isomer, propane-1,3-diol (HO-(CH₂)₃-OH), also known as β-propylene glycol. At room temperature, propylene […]
What is Methyl Ethyl Ketone? Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), also known as butanone, is an organic compound with the molecular formula CH₃C(O)CH₂CH₃. This colourless liquid has a sharp, sweet odour similar to butterscotch and acetone. MEK is produced industrially in large quantities, although it also occurs naturally in trace amounts. It is soluble in water […]
What is 4-Nitrophenol? 4-Nitrophenol (also called p-nitrophenol or 4-hydroxynitrobenzene) is a phenolic compound with the molecular formula C₆H₅NO₃. It is a colourless to light yellow solid with very little odour and is not found naturally in the environment. What is 4-Nitrophenol used for? 4-Nitrophenol is used to manufacture In the Environment Most 4-nitrophenol enters the […]
What is Methane? Methane is a colourless, odourless, and extremely flammable gas that can be explosive when mixed with air. Also known as methyl hydride, methane may also exist as a liquid when refrigerated. It is emitted from several natural and human-related sources and is the primary component of natural gas. The chemical formula for […]
What is Hydrogen Sulfide? Hydrogen sulfide is the chemical compound with the formula H₂S. It is a colourless, very poisonous, flammable gas or a colourless liquid at extremely low temperatures or under very high pressure. Hydrogen sulfide has the characteristic foul odour of rotten eggs at very low concentrations. At concentrations between 30-100 ppm, it […]
What is Dimethylacetamide? Dimethylacetamide (DMA or DMAc), also known as acetic acid-dimethylamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, or acetyldimethylamine, is an organic compound with the formula CH₃C(O)N(CH₃)₂. It is a colourless to yellow, oily, polar, hygroscopic liquid with a faint amine-like odour. DMAc is miscible with water and most organic solvents, including alcohols, ethers, esters, ketones, chlorinated and aromatic […]
What are Cresols? Cresols are organic compounds with the chemical formula C₇H₈O. They belong to a group of chemicals called phenols (or phenolics). Cresols can be either solid or liquid depending on the temperature because their melting points are close to room temperature. Over time, cresols slowly react with air, which can change their colour […]
What is 2,4-dinitrophenol? 2,4-Dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP, or DNP) is an organic compound with the molecular formula C6H4N2O5. It inhibits efficient energy (ATP) production in cells with mitochondria. DNP uncouples oxidative phosphorylation by carrying protons across the mitochondrial membrane, leading to rapid energy consumption without ATP generation. 2,4-DNP is a yellow solid with no known smell. It […]
