Chemistry

Bakelite: the first synthetic thermosetting plastic Bakelite Bakelite is an early phenol–formaldehyde thermosetting resin invented in 1907. Known for heat resistance and electrical insulation, it shaped early electrical, industrial and decor…

Barium Barium is a soft, silvery alkaline earth metal (atomic number 56). It occurs in minerals like barite, forms a range of compounds, is useful industrially, and has important safety c…

Barium bromide (BaBr2): properties, preparation, uses and safety Barium bromide Overview of barium bromide (BaBr2): its composition, physical and chemical properties, common methods of preparation, applications in synthesis and analysis, and safety considerati…

Barium carbonate (BaCO3) — properties, occurrence, uses, and safety Barium carbonate Barium carbonate (BaCO3) is a white, insoluble inorganic salt occurring naturally as witherite; used in ceramics, glass and chemical manufacture; it can form toxic soluble barium s…

Barium chlorate: properties, uses, preparation and safety Barium chlorate Barium chlorate (Ba(ClO3)2) is a water‑soluble inorganic oxidizer used historically in pyrotechnics and laboratory chemistry. It is a toxic, strong oxidant that requires careful ha…

Barium chloride (BaCl2): properties, uses and safety Barium chloride An overview of barium chloride, a water‑soluble barium salt used in brine purification, fireworks and laboratories; explains forms, properties, common uses, toxicity and basic firs…

Barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)2) Barium hydroxide Barium hydroxide, Ba(OH)2, is a strong inorganic base used in laboratories and industry. It occurs as hydrates (notably the octahydrate), reacts with CO2 and acids, and requires ca…

Barium nitrate Barium nitrate (Ba(NO3)2) is a white, water‑soluble inorganic salt used as an oxidizer and green colorant in pyrotechnics. It is chemically reactive and toxic, requiring careful ha…

Barium oxide (BaO): properties, preparation, uses, and safety Barium oxide Barium oxide (BaO) is a white ionic solid of barium and oxide ions. It is a basic, refractory oxide used in glass, ceramics, catalysis and cathode coatings. Soluble barium compound…

Barium peroxide (BaO2) Barium peroxide Barium peroxide is an inorganic oxidizing solid containing the peroxide ion. It has laboratory and historical uses as an oxygen source and in peroxide production; it is reactive an…

Barium sulfate (BaSO4) Barium sulfate A dense, white, water‑insoluble inorganic compound (BaSO4) used as a radiopaque contrast agent in medicine and as an inert filler in paints, plastics and industrial products.

Barium sulfide (BaS): properties, preparation, and uses Barium sulfide An overview of barium sulfide (BaS): composition, structure, preparation methods, chemical behavior, historical applications, industrial uses, safety and distinctions from other ba…

Base (chemistry): definitions, properties, and common examples Base (chemistry) A base is a species that accepts a hydrogen ion or donates an electron pair. This article explains major definitions, properties, strength, pH, examples, reactions, uses and safety…

Battery — electrochemical device for portable electrical power Battery A battery stores chemical energy and delivers DC electricity. This article explains how batteries work, their components, types, performance characteristics, common uses, history,…

Bauxite: the principal ore of aluminium Bauxite Bauxite is the primary source of aluminium. This article explains its composition, how and where it forms, its industrial processing, uses, and environmental issues associated with…

Beaker (laboratory glassware) Beaker A beaker is a common cylindrical container used in laboratories for mixing, heating and holding liquids. This article explains its design, materials, uses, graduations, history and…

Benzene (C6H6): structure, uses, hazards, and history Benzene Benzene is a simple aromatic hydrocarbon (C6H6). This article explains its structure, properties, historical discovery, industrial production, common uses, and health and environme…

Benzodiazepine: pharmacology, clinical uses, risks and history Benzodiazepine Overview of benzodiazepines: chemistry and mechanism, therapeutic uses, dependence and overdose risks, pregnancy considerations, history and differences from older sedative drugs.

Berkelium (element 97) Berkelium Berkelium is a synthetic, radioactive actinide metal with symbol Bk and atomic number 97, produced in particle accelerators and used primarily for scientific research and the synth…

Beryl: mineral overview, varieties, formation and uses Beryl Beryl is a beryllium-bearing cyclosilicate known for gem varieties such as emerald and aquamarine. This article covers its structure, common occurrences, notable varieties, uses an…

Beryllium: Physical Properties, Industrial Uses, and Safety Considerations Beryllium Beryllium: Explore the element's physical properties, alloy and aerospace uses, role in gemstones like beryl, and essential safety, exposure risks, and handling precautions for ind…

Bicarbonate (HCO3−): chemistry, biology, uses and distinctions Bicarbonate Bicarbonate (HCO3−) is a common anion and buffer species. This article explains its chemical behavior, biological roles, industrial and household uses, formation and reactions, his…

Bimetal: materials made from two bonded metals Bimetal Bimetal refers to an object or component composed of two different metals joined together in layers. Common in thermostats, switches, and coins, bimetals bend or combine properties…

Bioinorganic chemistry: the role of metals in biological systems Bioinorganic chemistry Study of metal ions and inorganic elements in living systems, covering metalloproteins, cofactors, mechanisms, analytical methods, medical applications, and environmental toxicolog…

Bioorganic chemistry: chemical methods applied to biological molecules Bioorganic chemistry Bioorganic chemistry applies organic-chemistry concepts and synthetic tools to study biological molecules and processes, bridging chemistry and biology to probe mechanisms, design…

Biophysical chemistry: principles, methods, and biological systems Biophysical chemistry Study of biological molecules and assemblies using physical chemistry principles — structure, dynamics, membranes, techniques, history and applications in research and medicine.

Bismuth: properties, history, uses, and notable facts Bismuth Bismuth (Bi, atomic number 83) is a heavy, brittle post‑transition metal in group 15. It is naturally monoisotopic and only minutely radioactive; used in medicine, alloys, thermoel…

Bismuth(III) bromide (BiBr3) Bismuth(III) bromide Overview of bismuth(III) bromide: composition, physical and chemical properties, preparation routes, common uses in synthesis and materials, and safety considerations.

Bismuth(III) chloride (bismuth trichloride) Bismuth(III) chloride Bismuth(III) chloride (BiCl3) is a white to pale yellow inorganic compound. It acts as a Lewis acid, hydrolyzes in water to give bismuth oxychloride, and is used as a precursor and…

Bismuth(III) fluoride (BiF3) Bismuth(III) fluoride Bismuth(III) fluoride, BiF3, is a white ionic inorganic solid composed of Bi3+ and F−. It is used as a precursor in synthesis and materials research; it has limited commercial uses…

Bismuth(III) iodide (BiI3) Bismuth(III) iodide An inorganic binary halide of bismuth, BiI3 is a dark crystalline compound with layered structure, limited water solubility, and roles in inorganic synthesis and materials research…

Bismuth(III) nitrate (Bi(NO3)3) Bismuth(III) nitrate An inorganic nitrate salt of trivalent bismuth used as a laboratory reagent and precursor to bismuth oxides, notable for hydrate formation, hydrolysis to oxynitrates, and applicati…

Bismuth(III) oxide (Bi2O3) Bismuth(III) oxide An overview of bismuth(III) oxide (Bi2O3): composition, crystal forms, properties, preparation, common uses and safety considerations for this important bismuth compound.

Bismuth(III) oxychloride (BiOCl): properties, structure, uses, and safety Bismuth(III) oxychloride Bismuth(III) oxychloride (BiOCl) is a white, layered inorganic compound used as a pigment and in cosmetics. It has distinctive optical and photocatalytic properties and specific ha…

Bismuth(III) sulfide (Bi2S3) Bismuth(III) sulfide Bismuth(III) sulfide (Bi2S3) is an inorganic compound and the main bismuth sulfide mineral. It is a dark, insoluble solid studied as an ore and as a narrow-band-gap semiconductor f…

Bismuth(V) fluoride (bismuth pentafluoride) Bismuth(V) fluoride Inorganic compound BiF5, a high‑oxidation-state bismuth fluoride notable as a powerful fluorinating and oxidizing agent; a moisture‑sensitive polymeric solid used mainly in special…

Bismuthate (BiO3−): chemistry, properties and common salts Bismuthate The bismuthate ion (BiO3−) is a Bi(V) oxyanion and a powerful oxidizer. Common in insoluble salts such as sodium bismuthate, it reacts with hot water and acids and is used in analy…

Bismuthine (BiH3): chemistry, properties, and significance Bismuthine Bismuthine (BiH3) is the unstable hydride of bismuth. This article summarizes its composition, structure, instability, laboratory preparation, and significance within the group 15…

Bisphenol A (BPA): chemistry, uses, health concerns and regulation Bisphenol A Summary of bisphenol A (BPA): its chemistry and industrial uses, exposure routes, health and environmental concerns, regulatory actions and practical measures to reduce contact.

Bleach (chemical agents for whitening, stain removal, and disinfection) Bleach Bleach describes chemicals that remove or decolorize stains and can disinfect. Common modern types are chlorine- and oxygen-based; historical sulfur methods are older. Covers chemi…

Blister agent (vesicant): effects, history, and uses Blister agent Blister agents (vesicants) are chemicals that cause painful burns and blisters on skin, eyes and mucous membranes. This article explains their properties, history, medical uses and…

Blocks of the periodic table Block (periodic table) Division of the periodic table into s-, p-, d-, and f-blocks based on which atomic subshell receives the last electron; how blocks relate to element properties and table layout.

Blood agent Toxic chemicals that prevent oxygen use or transport in the body; includes cyanide and arsine. Causes rapid collapse, seizures, and death unless decontaminated and given specific a…

Bohrium (element 107) Bohrium Bohrium is a synthetic, highly radioactive transactinide element (Z=107). Produced in particle accelerators, it resembles rhenium chemically and has no practical uses beyond basic…

Boiling: the phase change of a liquid into gas Boiling Boiling is the rapid vaporization of a liquid that occurs when its vapor pressure equals surrounding pressure; affected by temperature, pressure and surface conditions, distinct fr…

Boiling point Temperature at which a liquid’s vapor pressure equals the surrounding pressure and it converts rapidly to vapor; depends strongly on pressure and dissolved substances.

Boiling tube (laboratory glassware) Boiling tube A boiling tube is a larger, heat-resistant glass tube used in laboratories to heat, boil, and carry out reactions on larger sample volumes. Often made of borosilicate (Pyrex) glass…

Bond: financial securities, chemical links, and social connections Bond A concise encyclopedia article describing bonds in finance, chemistry, adhesives, law and society: definitions, main types, history, common uses, and distinctions between different…