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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In focus: Potassium Iodide (KI)

Potassium iodide is an inorganic chemical compound which is denoted by the chemical formula KI. It is a metal-halide salt featuring an ionic bond between the potassium cation (K+) and the iodide anion (I–). It is colourless to white, it appears as powder or white granules. It has a highly bitter, saline taste.

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In focus: 2-Bromonitrobenzene

2-Bromonitrobenzene is an aromatic compound and a pale-yellow powder that easily absorbs moisture. By virtue of its rather low melting point, it may appear as semi-liquid under high ambient temperatures. The nitro-group containing haloaromatic has numerous end-uses in pharmaceuticals, value-added intermediates, and other industry verticals.

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In focus: Phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5)

Phosphorus pentoxide is a chemical compound used in a wide variety of applications as a building block and a reagent in the chemical industry. This white fine powder is the anhydride of phosphoric acid. It is a powerful desiccant and dehydrating agent.

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In focus: γ-Butyrolactone (GBL)

γ-Butyrolactone (GBL) is a hygroscopic colorless, water-miscible liquid with a weak characteristic odor. It is the simplest 4-carbon lactone. It is mainly used as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals, e.g., methyl-2-pyrrolidone. In humans GBL acts as a prodrug for γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), and it is used as a recreational CNS depressant with effects like those of barbiturates.

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In focus: Phenyl Chloroformate

Phenyl chloroformate (PCF), an organic, volatile liquid, is an important reactant in chemical syntheses. It forms a series of intermediates that are further consumed to produce APIs, agrochemicals, and polymers. The chloroformate is also employed in proteomic research and itself is a phosgenation reagent.

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In focus: Potassium Borohydride

Potassium borohydride (KBH4) is an inorganic chemical with unique reducing power that is used in chemical synthesis. Whereas it easily generates a hydrogen atom quintessential for reduction processes, the borohydride reacts violently with water. It is toxic by ingestion. KBH4 finds large consumption in agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and intermediates.

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In focus: Curcumin

Curcumin is a bright yellow chemical produced by plants of the Curcuma longa species. It is the principal curcuminoid of turmeric (Curcuma longa), a member of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is sold as an herbal supplement, cosmetics ingredient, food flavoring, and food coloring.

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In focus: Triphenyl Phosphite

Triphenyl phosphite (TPP) is an organophos-phorous compound and is a colorless, viscous liquid with high boiling point. It possesses a characteristic, delicate fragrance. Its uses can be found largely in polymers. Besides, it participates as a reactant in organic syntheses.

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