Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Molecules with Silly or Unusual Names

Fukalite

This wonderfully named mineral gets its name from the Fuka mine in the Fuka region of southern Japan. It is very rare, and is a form of calcium silico-carbonate, with formula Ca4Si2O6(CO3)(OH,F) 2.

Traumatic Acid

This is a plant hormone which causes injured cells to divide and help repair the trauma - hence its name, and its synonym 'wound hormone'.

Arabitol

No, this has nothing to do with rabbits - it's an organic alcohol that's one constituent of wine. It's also known as pentahydric alcohol. A related sugar molecule, arabinose, also has nothing to do with rabbits, nor with the size of a Rabbi's nose (A Rabbi Nose).

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