Trivial name
Encyclopedia
In chemistry
, a trivial name is a common name
or vernacular name; it is a non-systematic name
or non-scientific name. That is, the name is not recognised according to the rules of any formal (e.g. IUPAC
) system of nomenclature. A limited number of trivial chemical names, however, are retained name
s and are yet part of the nomenclature.
Many trivial names continue to be used because their sanctioned 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 arise in the common language; in chemistry they may come from historic usages in, for example, alchemy
. Many trivial names pre-date the institution of formal naming conventions. Frequently, trivial names derive from some notable property of the thing being named, for instance, lecithin
, the common name for phosphatidylcholine
, was originally isolated from egg yolk
. The word is coined from the Greek word for yolk.
Generally trivial names are not useful in describing the essential properties of the thing being named. Properties such as the molecular structure of a chemical compound, or the phylogenetic relationships of organisms, are not indicated. And, in some cases, trivial names can be ambiguous or will carry different meanings in different industries or in different geographic regions.
On the other hand, systematic names can be so convoluted and difficult to parse that their trivial names are preferred. For example, the most important structural feature of diazonamide is that it is a nonribosomal peptide
, which is denoted by the suffix "amide
".
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, a trivial name is a common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
or vernacular name; it is a non-systematic name
Systematic name
A systematic name is a name given in a systematic way to one unique group, organism, object or chemical substance, out of a specific population or collection...
or non-scientific name. That is, the name is not recognised according to the rules of any formal (e.g. IUPAC
IUPAC nomenclature
A chemical nomenclature is a set of rules to generate systematic names for chemical compounds. The nomenclature used most frequently worldwide is the one created and developed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry ....
) system of nomenclature. A limited number of trivial chemical names, however, are retained name
Retained name
In chemistry, a retained name is a name for a chemical compound that is recommended for use by a system of chemical nomenclature , but that is not fully systematic....
s and are yet part of the nomenclature.
Many trivial names continue to be used because their sanctioned equivalents are considered too cumbersome for everyday use. For example, "tartaric acid
Tartaric acid
Tartaric acid is a white crystalline diprotic organic acid. It occurs naturally in many plants, particularly grapes, bananas, and tamarinds; is commonly combined with baking soda to function as a leavening agent in recipes, and is one of the main acids found in wine. It is added to other foods to...
", a compound found in wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
, has a systematic name of 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid.
Trivial names often arise in the common language; in chemistry they may come from historic usages in, for example, alchemy
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
. Many trivial names pre-date the institution of formal naming conventions. Frequently, trivial names derive from some notable property of the thing being named, for instance, lecithin
Lecithin
Lecithin is a generic term to designate any group of yellow-brownish fatty substances occurring in animal and plant tissues, and in egg yolk, composed of phosphoric acid, choline, fatty acids, glycerol, glycolipids, triglycerides, and phospholipids .The word lecithin was originally coined in 1847 by...
, the common name for phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylcholines are a class of phospholipids that incorporate choline as a headgroup.They are a major component of biological membranes and can be easily obtained from a variety of readily available sources such as egg yolk or soy beans from which they are mechanically extracted or chemically...
, was originally isolated from egg yolk
Egg yolk
An egg yolk is a part of an egg which feeds the developing embryo. The egg yolk is suspended in the egg white by one or two spiral bands of tissue called the chalazae...
. The word is coined from the Greek word for yolk.
Generally trivial names are not useful in describing the essential properties of the thing being named. Properties such as the molecular structure of a chemical compound, or the phylogenetic relationships of organisms, are not indicated. And, in some cases, trivial names can be ambiguous or will carry different meanings in different industries or in different geographic regions.
On the other hand, systematic names can be so convoluted and difficult to parse that their trivial names are preferred. For example, the most important structural feature of diazonamide is that it is a nonribosomal peptide
Peptide
Peptides are short polymers of amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds. They are distinguished from proteins on the basis of size, typically containing less than 50 monomer units. The shortest peptides are dipeptides, consisting of two amino acids joined by a single peptide bond...
, which is denoted by the suffix "amide
Amide
In chemistry, an amide is an organic compound that contains the functional group consisting of a carbonyl group linked to a nitrogen atom . The term refers both to a class of compounds and a functional group within those compounds. The term amide also refers to deprotonated form of ammonia or an...
".
Organic chemistry
- tert-Amyl alcoholAmyl alcoholAn amyl alcohol is any of 8 alcohols with the formula C5H11OH. A mixture of amyl alcohols can be obtained from fusel alcohol. Amyl alcohol is used as a solvent and in esterfication for example in the production of amyl acetate...
— 2-Methylbutan-2-ol - Carbolic acid — PhenolPhenolPhenol, also known as carbolic acid, phenic acid, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5OH. It is a white crystalline solid. The molecule consists of a phenyl , bonded to a hydroxyl group. It is produced on a large scale as a precursor to many materials and useful compounds...
- ChloroformChloroformChloroform is an organic compound with formula CHCl3. It is one of the four chloromethanes. The colorless, sweet-smelling, dense liquid is a trihalomethane, and is considered somewhat hazardous...
— Trichloromethane - ChloropreneChloropreneChloroprene is the common name for the organic compound 2-chlorobuta-1,3-diene, which has the formula CH2=CCl-CH=CH2. This colorless liquid is the monomer for the production of the polymer polychloroprene, a type of synthetic rubber...
— 2-Chloro-1,3-butadiene - Freon — Chlorofluorocarbon
- Isopropyl alcoholIsopropyl alcoholIsopropyl alcohol is a common name for a chemical compound with the molecular formula C3H8O. It is a colorless, flammable chemical compound with a strong odor...
— Propan-2-ol - PinacolonePinacolonePinacolone is an important ketone in organic chemistry. It has an odour reminiscent of peppermint and was discovered in 1866...
— 3,3-Dimethylbutan-2-one - CaffeineCaffeineCaffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a stimulant drug. Caffeine is found in varying quantities in the seeds, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants...
— 1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione - CholesterolCholesterolCholesterol is a complex isoprenoid. Specifically, it is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes...
— 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
Inorganic chemistry
- SaltSaltIn chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
— sodium chloride - PotashPotashPotash is the common name for various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form. In some rare cases, potash can be formed with traces of organic materials such as plant remains, and this was the major historical source for it before the industrial era...
— potassium carbonatePotassium carbonatePotassium carbonate is a white salt, soluble in water , which forms a strongly alkaline solution. It can be made as the product of potassium hydroxide's absorbent reaction with carbon dioxide. It is deliquescent, often appearing a damp or wet solid... - Caustic potash or LyeLyeLye is a corrosive alkaline substance, commonly sodium hydroxide or historically potassium hydroxide . Previously, lye was among the many different alkalis leached from hardwood ashes...
— potassium hydroxidePotassium hydroxidePotassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula KOH, commonly called caustic potash.Along with sodium hydroxide , this colorless solid is a prototypical strong base. It has many industrial and niche applications. Most applications exploit its reactivity toward acids and its corrosive... - Soda ash — sodium carbonateSodium carbonateSodium carbonate , Na2CO3 is a sodium salt of carbonic acid. It most commonly occurs as a crystalline heptahydrate, which readily effloresces to form a white powder, the monohydrate. Sodium carbonate is domestically well-known for its everyday use as a water softener. It can be extracted from the...
- Caustic soda or LyeLyeLye is a corrosive alkaline substance, commonly sodium hydroxide or historically potassium hydroxide . Previously, lye was among the many different alkalis leached from hardwood ashes...
— sodium hydroxide - Lime or unslaked lime or quicklime — calcium oxideCalcium oxideCalcium oxide , commonly known as quicklime or burnt lime, is a widely used chemical compound. It is a white, caustic, alkaline crystalline solid at room temperature....
- Slaked lime or caustic lime — calcium hydroxideCalcium hydroxideCalcium hydroxide, traditionally called slaked lime, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Ca2. It is a colourless crystal or white powder and is obtained when calcium oxide is mixed, or "slaked" with water. It has many names including hydrated lime, builders lime, slack lime, cal, or...
- Muriatic acid — hydrochloric acidHydrochloric acidHydrochloric acid is a solution of hydrogen chloride in water, that is a highly corrosive, strong mineral acid with many industrial uses. It is found naturally in gastric acid....
- Baking soda or bicarbonate of soda — sodium hydrogen carbonate
- Epsom salt — hydrated magnesium sulfateMagnesium sulfateMagnesium sulfate is a chemical compound containing magnesium, sulfur and oxygen, with the formula MgSO4. It is often encountered as the heptahydrate epsomite , commonly called Epsom salt, from the town of Epsom in Surrey, England, where the salt was distilled from the springs that arise where the...
- Oil of Vitriol — sulfuric acidSulfuric acidSulfuric acid is a strong mineral acid with the molecular formula . Its historical name is oil of vitriol. Pure sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive, colorless, viscous liquid. The salts of sulfuric acid are called sulfates...
- WaterWaterWater is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
— Oxidane