“Has anyone seen the formaldehyde?” 👀

“Yes, I have it. I’m almost done. Would you like me keep it in the fume hood for you?”

“Yes, please. Thanks!”

[few minutes later… ]

“Hey, that’s formalin, not formaldehyde!”

“Yeah, that’s the same thing, you can use it!”

 

Is it? Of course not. Formaldehyde is HCHO, and formalin is an aqueous solution of HCHO. But there are also people who think that paraformaldehyde and formaldehyde are the same. Even experienced people. 🤦‍♀️

Water your plants 🪴 with H2O2 and see if it is as wholesome as H2O. Some really smart people invented nomenclature to make our lab lives easier.

If you are about to use a chemical substance in the lab, check

💡 The name. There is a difference between the trivial name and the name according to the IUPAC nomenclature.

💡 The chemical formula, but more importantly, the structural formula. The structural formula is easier to read and remember, and it provides more information than the chemical formula alone.

💡 The molar mass. Check that the molar mass is the same. If it is not exactly the same, it is not the same substance.

💡 Chemical or physical properties. In addition, you can always check specific properties of the substance, such as specific gravity, melting point, boiling point, refraction index, etc.

 

Use only substances you have identified beyond doubt. Don’t use a substance, just because it sounds similar. This also means that you should use the same clear language for communicating your work to others. Using terms that are consensual or defined in statement papers, also for cell lines, methods and standards will prevent misunderstandings, help us to communicate better, and to move closer together in the scientific world 🌍.

 

#IUPAC #chemistry #mint #stem #labsafety #nomenclature #chemicalformula #molarmass #research #NIST

Author: asban