Molecule Facts & Structures

From your About Chemistry Guide, these are structures (gifs) for all of the molecules from articles and facts on the About Chemistry website. Many supplemental structures are available, too. Additions are made to the archive regularly.

Functional groups are groups of atoms found within molecules that are involved in the chemical reactions characteristic of those molecules. Functional groups can pertain to any molecules, but you will usually hear about them in the context of organic chemistry.

This is an alphabetical list of organic compound names and formulas.

This is an alphabetical list of alloys grouped according to the base metal of the alloy.

Learn how molecules, moles, and Avogadro's number relate to each other. This is a good introduction to the study of compounds and stoichiometry.

Water is the most abundant molecule on the Earth's surface and one of the most important molecules to study in chemistry. Here's a look at water chemistry.

These are the structures for the twenty natural amino acids, plus the general structure for an amino acid.

Learn what anabolic steroids are, how they can enhance athletic performance, and what risks are associated with using performance enhancing drugs.

Carbohydrates or saccharides are the most abundant class of biomolecules. Carbohydrates are used to store energy, though they serve other important functions as well. This is an overview of carbohydrate chemistry, including a look at the types of carbohydrates, their functions, and carbohydrate classification.

See the molecular structures of steroids.

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are added to many foods to prevent fat spoilage. This article describes what BHA and BHT are, what they do, and how they do it. There is a fairly lengthy list of references because there is controversy over the health effects of BHA, BHT, and other additives.

Learn about the chemical and biological properties of caffeine, the methylxanthine stimulant found in coffee and other foods.

See the chemical structures of chemical weapons and warfare agents and learn a little about their uses.

Part I: Carbon Chemistry and Diamond Crystal Structure. Part II: Properties and Types of Diamonds. There are also links to learn about carbon allotropes, diamond mining, diamonds as gemstones, and geology.

Learn what cocaine or coke is, why people take cocaine, how it's made, and what risks are associated with using cocaine.

List of inorganic chemical compounds.

Molecular compounds or covalent compounds are those in which the elements share electrons via covalent bonds. The only type of molecular compound a chemistry student is expected to be able to name is a binary covalent compound. Here is a look at the nomenclature rules for molecular compounds, plus some examples of how to name the compounds.

Learn what crack cocaine is, why people take crack, how it's made, and what risks are associated with using crack cocaine.

Cream of tartar or potassium bitartrate is a common household chemical and cooking ingredient. Here's a look at what cream of tartar is, where it comes from, and how cream of tartar is used.

Learn what crystal meth is, why people take crystal meth, how it's made, and what risks are associated with using methamphetamine.

Learn what cubic zirconia or CZ is and how you can tell it apart from diamond.

Learn about the insect repellent called DEET. See its chemical structure, find out how it works, get information about the risks of using DEET, and find out how to reduce your need for bug spray.

Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide. Here are some facts about dry ice that can help keep you safe when working with it, plus are just fun to know.

This is a list of common food additives and a description of their uses.

Here are the names and formulas of some of the common acids and bases. Learn how to apply prefixes and suffixes to name the acids and bases.

These are the names and structures of important organic functional groups containing nitrogen or oxygen. Learn 'em, live 'em, love 'em!

Heavy water is deuterium oxide or water in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms is a deuterium atom. Get facts about heavy water, including its chemical and physical properties.

Learn about the different materials used as pencil erasers and how they work.

Learn how to synthesize aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, from salicyclic acid. Get information about the history of aspirin, the effects of salicylates, and see the structures of the reactants.

Learn what hydronium is and where hydronium is found.

Liquid nitrogen is nitrogen that is cold enough to exist in liquid form. It is used for many cooling and cryogenic applications. Here are some liquid nitrogen facts and information about handling liquid nitrogen safely.

Lycopene is the red pigment in tomatoes and several fruits. Find out more about how this antioxidant protects against cancer and heart disease.

Learn what marijuana and THC are, why people use marijuana, where it comes from, and what risks are associated with using marijuana.

Here's a collection of molecules that have strange or silly names. There are lots of molecules with weird names, so this list will grow and grow.

Learn about ricin and RCA, the two potent toxins from the castor bean plant. Information is provided about the action, symptoms, and treatment of ricin and RCA poisoning.

Learn about what tear gas is and how it works.

The primary methylxanthine in chocolate is theobromine, a molecule similar to caffeine. See the structure of theobromine and read about its chemistry, effects on people and animals, and uses. There are links to chocolate history and chemical research, veterinary advice for theobromine poisoning, and related resources.

This article describes the four levels of protein and polypeptide structure, with examples and links for additional reading.

Here are answers to common questions about snowflakes. Learn how snow forms, what shapes snowflakes take, why snow crystals are symmetrical, whether no two snowflakes really are alike, and why snow looks white!

This is a collection of molecular structures of the vitamins.

Cubic zirconia and cubic zirconium are not the same thing. Take a look at the difference between cubic zirconia and cubic zirconium.

There are some man-made chemicals with a stench well beyond the gentle perfume of dirty gym socks and skunk spray. Do you know the names of these super-stinkers?

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter A.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter B.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter C.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter D.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter E.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter F.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter G.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter H.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter I.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter L.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter M.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter N.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter O.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter P.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter S.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter T.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter V.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter U.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter K.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter Q.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter R.

Browse structures of molecules and ions that have names beginning with the letter W.