List of chemical compounds with unusual names

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Some are given intentionally unusual trivial names based on their structure, a notable property or at the whim of those who first isolate them. However, many trivial names predate formal naming conventions. Trivial names can also be ambiguous or carry different meanings in different industries, geographic regions and languages.




Glenn Seaborg told his students that he proposed the chemical symbol Pu (from P U) instead of the conventional "Pl" for plutonium as a joke, only to find it officially adopted.[5] Unununium (Uuu) was the former temporary name of the chemical element number 111, a synthetic transuranium element. This element was named roentgenium (Rg) in November 2004.


Name based on shape[edit]

(C8H8), the name derives from the resemblance to a barrel.[6]
(pentacyclo[,5.03,8.04,7]decane) (C10H12), a polycyclic alkane with a structure similar to a basket.[3]
Churchane A polycyclic alkane named for looking superficially like a church.[3]
A hydrocarbon whose eight carbon atoms occupy the vertices of a cube.[7]
A Platonic hydrocarbon shaped like a dodecahedron.
A class of compounds with a 'window pane motif' (the name fenestrane derives from the Latin word fenestra, meaning window), comprising four fused carbocycles centred on a quaternary carbon resulting a twice over spiro compound. The illustration at right shows a generic fenestrane as well as the specific examples [4,4,4,4]fenestrane and [5,5,5,5]fenestrane. Fenestranes are of considerable interest in theoretical chemistry though comparatively few have actually been synthesised.
A polycyclic alkane named "housane" due to looking superficially like a house.[3]
Pentacycloanammoxic Acid
An organic molecule that looks like a ladder because it contains two or more fused rings of cyclobutane.
A mechanically-interlocked compound based on the topology for the Olympic rings.
Olympicene Refers to the fused 5-benzene rings, C19H11, which is reminiscent of the Olympic Flag.[8]
3,4,4,5-tetramethylcyclohexa-2,5-dienone; a two-dimensional representation of its structure resembles a penguin.
An isomer of benzene with the carbon atoms arranged in the shape of a triangular prism.
Quadratic acid
Squaric acid
A square-shaped organic compound, also called squaric acid.
A Platonic hydrocarbon shaped like a tetrahedron.

Named after people[edit]

Or buckyballs, a form of carbon named after Buckminster Fuller due to its resemblance to Fuller's geodesic domes. The term was coined by Harold Kroto.[9] The alternative name Footballene was coined by A.D.J. Haymet[10] because the molecule also resembles a football.[3]
Bullvalene C10H10
(tricyclo[,8]deca-3,6,9-triene) (C10H10), was named by organic chemist Maitland Jones, Jr. for William "Bull" Doering who predicted its properties in 1963.[11][12] Within a specific temperature range the molecule is subject to rapid degenerate Cope rearrangements with the result that all carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms are equivalent and that none of the carbon–carbon bonds is permanent.
Dickite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4), a clay-like material with a number of manufacturing uses, one of which is as a coating for high-quality bond paper. It is named after its discoverer, Dr. W. Thomas Dick.[3]
Josiphos A well-known catalyst, named after Josi Puleo, the technician who first prepared it.[13] Mandyphos and Taniaphos also exist.

Named after fictional characters[edit]

Alcindoromycine An anthracycline antibiotic agent named after the character Alcindoro in La Bohème.[14]
Bohemamine An anti-tumour agent named after the Puccini opera La Bohème.[14]
Collinemycin An anthracycline antibiotic agent named after the character Colline in La Bohème.[14]
Mimimycin An anthracycline antibiotic agent named after the character Mimì in La Bohème.[14]
Musettamycin An anthracycline antibiotic agent named after the character Musetta in La Bohème.[14]
Marcellomycin An anthracycline antibiotic agent named after the character Marcello in La Bohème.[14]
Pikachurin A retinal protein named after Pokémon character / species Pikachu
Rudolphomycin An anthracycline antibiotic agent named after the character Rodolfo (Rudolph) in La Bohème.[14][15]
Sonic hedgehog A protein named after Sonic the Hedgehog

Sounding like vulgarisms[edit]

(C4H5As), an analogue of pyrrole in which an arsenic atom replaces the nitrogen atom.[16] The aromaticity of arsoles has been debated for many years.[17] The compound in which a benzene ring is fused to arsole — typically on the carbon atoms 3 and 4 — is known as benzarsole.[3]
Crapinon An anticholinergic drug, one side effect of which is constipation.[3]
The common name for isopropylbenzene; derived from cumin (Cuminum cyminum)
Cummingtonite ((Mg,Fe)7Si8(OH)22), a magnesium-iron silicate hydroxide, first identified in Cummington, Massachusetts.[3]
DAMN Structure.png
A class of asymmetric ligands for asymmetric synthesis. The name DuPhos is derived from the chemical company that developed this type of ligand (DuP, DuPont) and the compound class of phospholanes (Phos) it belongs to.
or Fartox
(C6Cl5NO2), also called Quintozene, some of the many names for pentachloronitrobenzene, a fungicide.[19]
Fukalite (Ca4Si2O6(CO3)(OH, F))2, a rare form of calcium silicocarbonate mined in the Fuka region of Japan.[3]
Ru(Tris)BiPy-on-a-stick Shorthand form of (trans-1,4-bis[(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]benzene)(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II).[20]
A substance first synthesized by a group of Australian chemists. In some Slavic countries, the word pizda is a vulgarism for "vagina" (see Appendix:Proto-Slavic/pizda).

Related to sex[edit]

Fornacite A rare lead, copper chromate arsenate hydroxide mineral (Pb2CuCrO4AsO4OH), named after its discoverer, Lucien Lewis Forneau.[3]
Orotic acid
Orotic acid
Pyrimidinecarboxylic acid has been referred to as vitamin B13. Often misspelled "erotic acid".[3]
A flavonol dye derived from buckthorn (rhamnus).[21]
SEX An abbreviation of sodium ethyl xanthate,[22] it has structural formula CH3CH2OCS2Na, IUPAC name sodium O-ethylcarbonodithioate, and it is a flotation agent used in the mining industry;
or polyamine
growth factors involved in cellular metabolism.[3]

Related to body (mal)functions[edit]

(tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate), a fluoroaryl borate B(Ar(CF3)2)4, used as a non-coordinating anion[23]
catP The name of the enzyme responsible for chloramphenicol resistance in various species of bacteria.
Constipatic acid
Constipatic acid
[2-(14-hydroxypentadecyl)-4-methyl-5-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-3-carboxylic acid], an aliphatic acid derived from the Australian Xanthoparmelia lichen.[3][24]
(C9H18O), an aldehyde derived from nonane.
Uranate The chemical term for an oxyanion of the element uranium.[3]
U(C8H8)2, a uranium sandwich compound similar to ferrocene (Fe(C5H5)2) with two co-ordinating aromatic and anionic cyclooctatetraenide rings sandwiching the U atom (formally in its +IV oxidation state).
A mycotoxin occurring in grains.[3]

Related to death and decay[edit]

A foul-smelling diamine produced by putrefaction of dead animal tissue.[3][25]
An apt acronym, given that diethyl azodicarboxylate is explosive; shock sensitive; carcinogenic; and an eye, skin, and respiratory irritant.[3]
A foul-smelling diamine produced by the putrefaction of dead animal tissue.[3]

Related to religion or legend[edit]

Angelic acid
Angelic acid
An organic acid found in garden angelica (Angelica archangelica), Umbelliferae, and many other plants.
Diabolic acid A series of long-chain dicarboxylic acids with chains of different lengths. Named after the Greek word diabollo meaning to mislead.[26]
Miraculin A glycoprotein found in Miracle Fruit that makes sour foods taste sweet after contact with taste buds.[28]

Sounds like a name (person, brand or organization)[edit]

(tricyclo[,7]decane), a crystalline cycloalkane,[29][30] an isomer of twistane. Name resembles that of English pop star Adam Ant.[3]
Irene Hantzsch-Widman nomenclature for a monocyclic, heterocyclic compound with three ring atoms.[31]
Naftazone (C11H9N3O2), a vasoprotective drug. The NAFTA free-trade zone is the area covered by the North American Free Trade Agreement.[32]
PEPPSI PEPPSI is short for Pyridine-Enhanced Precatalyst Preparation Stabilization and Initiation.[33]

A part sounds like an English word[edit]

Bongkrek acid
Bongkrek acid
Name sounds like the English names for bong, crack cocaine, and lysergic acid diethylamide.
Complicatic acid A sesquiterpenoid antibiotic derived from Stereum complicatum, this is also known as dehydrohirsutic acid.[34]
The simplest hydride of germanium, analogous to methane and silane.
Germanic acid (Ge(OH)4), the hydrated form of germanium dioxide
Helium hydride ion
Chemical formula of the helium hydride ion, a polyatomic ion containing the noble gas helium.[35]
[36][37] Is also named after an animal, a goat (Hircus).
Jesterone A ketone with molecular formula C15H20O4 derived from the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis jesteri. [38]
Magic acid A superacid consisting of a mixture, most commonly in a 1:1 molar ratio, of fluorosulfuric acid (HSO3F) and antimony pentafluoride (SbF5).
Megaphone A ketone derived from the root of Aniba megaphylla.[39]
Moronic acid
Moronic acid
Mucic acid
Mucic acid
A product of nitric acid oxidation of galactose or galactose-containing compounds
Muscovite crystals
A phyllosilicate mineral of aluminium and potassium.
Noggin A signalling protein involved in embryonic development.
Performic acid A strongly oxidizing acid related to formic acid.
Periodic acid
Periodic acid
Or per-iodic acid, is pronounced /ˌpɜr.ˈɒdɨk/ PURR-eye-OD-ik and not */ˌpɪərɪˈɒdɨk/ PEER-ee-OD-ik. It refers to one of two interconvertible species: HIO4 (metaperiodic acid), or H5IO6 (orthoperiodic acid - illustrated at right). The per- prefix in the name denotes that iodine is present in its highest possible (+VII) oxidation state.
Picket Fence Porphyrin (5,10,15,20-tetrakis(alpha,alpha,alpha-2-pivalamidophenyl)porphyrin), used to model heme enzyme active sites.
Piranha solution A strongly oxidizing mixture of hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid used to remove organic residues from substrates and glassware. The name refers to the voracious appetite of the Amazonian piranha fish.
Rednose A sugar derived from the degradation of rudolphomycin.[14]
A sugar naturally occurring in buckthorn (rhamnus).
Sillimanite Aluminium silicate polymorph, sounds like "Silly man-ite"
Titanic acid The hydrated form of titanium dioxide.
Traumatic acid
Traumatic acid
A substance occurring in plants, with a role in healing damaged tissue.


Carbonite (CO22−), an unstable anion and carbene derived from carbonous acid.[citation needed]
Fluoboric acid
Fluoboric acid
(HBF4), tetrafluoroborate or tetrafluoroboric acid.[citation needed]
Homocubane Any molecule synthesized from cubane.
Methionylthreonylthreonylglutaminylarginyl...isoleucine The IUPAC name for Titin. This is the largest known protein and so has the longest chemical name. Written in full, it contains 189,819 letters.[40]
Periplanone B
Periplanone B
A pheromone of the female American cockroach. Named after the scientific name of this species, Periplaneta americana, not because of periplanarity.[citation needed]
Dihydrocodeinone enol acetate, an opioid analgesic or antitussive.[citation needed]
Fluorine dioxide.svg
Dioxygen difluoride, O2F2, an extremely unstable compound which reacts explosively with most other substances – the nickname "FOOF" is a play on its formula.[citation needed]
Furfural is an industrial chemical compound derived from a variety of agricultural byproducts, including corncobs, oat and wheat bran, and sawdust. The name furfural comes from the Latin word furfur, meaning bran, referring to its usual source.[3]
A toxin found in cottonseed used as a male oral contraceptive.[3]
Argon fluorohydride
chemical formula of argon fluorohydride, the only known neutral compound of the noble gas argon.[41]

See also[edit]

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^ Godly, E.W. (1998). Chemical Nomenclature. Kluwer Academic Publishers. p. 20. ISBN 0-7514-0475-6. 
  2. ^ Thurlow, Kevin (1998). Chemical Nomenclature. Kluwer Academic Publishers. xii. ISBN 0-7514-0475-6. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y May, Paul (28 May 2013). "Molecules with Silly or Unusual Names". Bristol University. Retrieved 1 November 2013. 
  4. ^ Dennis, Ryan (1997). "Old MacDonald Named a Compound: Branched Enynenynols" (PDF). Journal of Chemical Education 74 (7): 782. Bibcode:1997JChEd..74..782R. doi:10.1021/ed074p782. Retrieved 2007-08-16. 
  5. ^ Glenn T. Seaborg, Citizen-Scholar, By Peggy House, Reprinted from The Seaborg Center Bulletin, April 1999
  6. ^ Zimmerman, Howard E.;; Robert M. Paufler. "Bicyclo [2.2.2]octa-2,5,7-triene (barrelene), a unique cyclic six electron pi system". Journal of the American Chemical Society 82 (6): 1514–1515. doi:10.1021/ja01491a071. 
  7. ^ Verbrugge, P. A. (1977). "Unusual organic compounds. XXIV. Compounds with the formula (CH)n. (d). Synthesis of cubane, (CH)8; homocubanes". Chemie en Techniek (Amsterdam) 32 (4): 120–123. 
  8. ^ "'Olympic rings' molecule olympicene in striking image". BBC Online. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012. 
  9. ^ Kroto, H.W.; Heath, J.R.; O'Brien, S.C.; Curl, R.F.; Smalley, R.E. (1985). Nature 318 (6042): 162. Bibcode:1985Natur.318..162K. doi:10.1038/318162a0.  Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ^ Haymet, A.D.J. (1986). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 108: 319. doi:10.1021/ja00262a035.  Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ^ Doering, W. von E.; Roth, W. R. (1963). "A Rapidly Reversible Degenerate Cope Rearrangement : Bicyclo[5.1.0]octa-2,5-diene". Tetrahedron 19 (5): 715–737. doi:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)99207-5. 
  12. ^ Ault, Addison (2001). "The Bullvalene Story. The Conception of Bullvalene, a Molecule That Has No Permanent Structure". J. Chem. Educ. 78 (7): 924. Bibcode:2001JChEd..78..924A. doi:10.1021/ed078p924. 
  13. ^ Blaser, Hans-Ulrich; Brieden, Walter; Pugin, Benoit; Spindler, Felix; Studer, Martin; Togni, Antonio (2002). "Solvias Josiphos ligands: from discovery to technical applications". Topics in Catalysis 19 (1): 3–16. doi:10.1023/A:1013832630565. 
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h Nettleton DE Jr, Balitz DM, Doyle TW, Bradner WT, Johnson DL, O'Herron FA, Schreiber RH, Coon AB, Moseley JE, Myllymaki RW, J Nat Prod. 1980 Mar-Apr;43(2):242–258.
  15. ^ "Canadian Patents Database CA 1110562: Anthracycline antibiotic designated RUDOLPHOMYCIN". Retrieved 2007-08-16. 
  18. ^ Schleyer, Paul von Rague; Eiji Osawa; Michael G. B. Drew (1968). "Nonacyclo[,18.03,16.04,13.05,10.06,14.07,11.015,20]docosane, a bastard tetramantane" (PDF). J. Am. Chem. Soc 90 (18): 5034–5036. doi:10.1021/ja01020a053. Retrieved 2007-08-15. 
  19. ^ "NIST Standard Reference Database 69, June 2005 Release: NIST Chemistry WebBook - Pentachloronitrobenzene". Retrieved 2007-08-16. 
  20. ^ Toma, SH; Uemi, M; Nikolaou, S; Tomazela, DM; Eberlin, MN; Toma, HE (2004). Inorg Chem. 43 (11): 3521–3527. doi:10.1021/ic0352250.  Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ^ Uri J, Csoban G, Viragh E., Acta Physiol Hung. 1951;2(2):223-8.
  22. ^ See, for example, Okibe, N; Johnson, DB (2004). "title". Biotechnology Letters 24 (23): 2011–2016. doi:10.1023/A:1021118915720. 
  23. ^ "BARF". ChemSpider. Royal Society of Chemistry. 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2013. 
  24. ^ D.O. Chester and J.A. Elix, Australian Journal of Chemistry 32 (1979) 2565-2569 doi:10.1071/CH9792565
  25. ^ NORDENSTROM BE (1951). "Effect of cadaverine and lysine on the urinary excretion of piperidine in rabbits". Acta pharmacologica et toxicologica 7 (3): 287–296. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0773.1951.tb02870.x. PMID 14856760. 
  28. ^ Theerasilp S, Kurihara Y (August 1988). "Complete purification and characterization of the taste-modifying protein, miraculin, from miracle fruit". J. Biol. Chem. 263 (23): 11536–11539. PMID 3403544. 
  29. ^ Prelog, V., Seiwerth,R. (1941). Berichte 74: 1644 and 1769. doi:10.1002/cber.19410741109.  Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. ^ Not to be confused with the fictional material adamantium
  31. ^ Parent Hydride Names and Substantive Nomenclature (PDF). IUPAC. March 2004. p. 16. 
  32. ^ Charles O, Coolsaet B (1972). "[Prevention of hemorrhage in prostatic surgery. Apropos of the study of the hemostatic activity in prostatectomy of a new molecule: beta-naphthoquinone monosemicarbazone (Naftazone)]". Annales d'urologie (in French) 6 (3): 209–212. PMID 4562066. 
  33. ^ "PEPPSI Catalysts". Retrieved 2009-04-01. 
  34. ^ T. Money (1975), "Sesquiterpenoids", Terpenoids and Steroids, vol. 5, Royal Society of Chemistry, p. 69, ISBN 9780851862965, ISSN 0300-5992 
  35. ^ Hogness, T.; Lunn, E. (1925). "The Ionization of Hydrogen by Electron Impact as Interpreted by Positive Ray Analysis". Physical Review 26 (1): 44–55. doi:10.1103/PhysRev.26.44. 
  36. ^ Tandem radical approach to linear condensed cyclopentanoids. Total synthesis of (.+−.)-hirsutene Dennis P. Curran and Donna M. Rakiewicz J. Am. Chem. Soc.; 1985; 107(5) pp 1448 - 1449; doi:10.1021/ja00291a077
  38. ^ "Jesterone and hydroxy-jesterone antioomycete cyclohexenone epoxides from the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis jesteri" Jia Yao Li and Gary A. Strobel, Phytochemistry, 57 (2001) 261-265
  40. ^ Sam Kean (2011), The Disappearing Spoon, Little, Brown, p. 36, ISBN 9781446437650 
  41. ^ Räsänen, Markku; Khriachtchev, Leonid; Pettersson, Mika; Runeberg, Nino; Lundell, Jan (2000). "A stable argon compound". Nature 406 (6798): 874–876. doi:10.1038/35022551. PMID 10972285.