In focus: Chromium hydroxide

Chromium hydroxide, a gelatinous, polymeric inorganic powder, is amphoteric in nature. It reacts as an acid as well as a base. On heating, it decomposes to chromic oxide. The molecule is largely used in cosmetics and tanning industries.

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In focus: Magnesium trisilicate

Magnesium trisilicate is an inorganic compound that is used as a food additive. The additive is frequently used by fast food chains to absorb fatty acids and extract impurities formed while frying edible oils. It has good acid neutralizing properties.

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In focus: 1,3-Dihydroxyacetone

1,3-Dihyrdoxyacetone is a hygroscopic, white powder with a minty odor. It is abundantly found in nature as derivative of starch and is an intermediate product of fructose metabolism. Acronymed as DHA, it is at large used in the cosmetic industry.

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In focus: Dimethyl Sulfoxide

Dimethyl sulfoxide, popularly knowns by its acronym DMSO, is an organosulfur compound. It is an aprotic polar solvent, a mild oxidant, and a common ligand in co-ordination chemistry. Its versatility lies in the fact that it can dissolve polar as well as non-polar solutes and hence it is a special solvent in organic syntheses. Its utility is further due to its low cost, low toxicity, and stability.

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In focus: Tetrahydrocurcumin

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) is a colorless hydrogenated product derived from the yellow curcumins, (the biologically active principles from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa), function as efficient antioxidant compounds.

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In focus: Carbon tetrabromide (CBr₄)

A colorless crystalline solid. Much denser than water and insoluble in water but soluble in chloroform and ethanol. Toxic by ingestion. Vapors are narcotic in high concentration. It is commonly employed as an electron acceptor in organic synthesis reactions. Carbon tetrabromide is also an efficient catalyst for regioselective ring opening of epoxides with alcohols.

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