Ch 09: Chemistry in Everyday Life

🏠 Chapter At a Glance

Penicillin

First antibiotic (from fungus)

Quinine

Antimalarial (Cinchona tree)

Jena Glass

Heat-resistant laboratory glass

Vulcanisation

Rubber + Sulphur @ 413–433 K (typically)

Drugs: Diagnosis, prevention, treatment of diseases
Cement: Portland Cement — Joseph Aspdin (1824)
RDX: cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine; dynamite: patented by Alfred Nobel (1867)
High-intensity sweeteners: saccharin, aspartame and sucralose; used to reduce added sugar

💊 Classification of Drugs

🧪 Antacids

Antacids neutralise stomach acid, e.g. Mg(OH)₂. Cimetidine suppresses secretion as an H₂-receptor blocker; it is not an antacid.

🌡️ Antipyretics

Reduce fever; examples: paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen (Brufen)

🤧 Antihistamines

Relieve histamine-mediated allergy symptoms such as itching, sneezing and hives. Examples: brompheniramine, cetirizine, loratadine.

😴 Tranquilizers

Anxiolytics/tranquilizers reduce anxiety or produce calming effects. Classic examples: diazepam (Valium), meprobamate (Equanil). Veronal is a historical sedative-hypnotic; cocaine, LSD and mescaline are not routine tranquilizers.

💉 Pain Killers (Analgesics)

Analgesics relieve pain. Opioid examples: morphine, codeine; non-opioid examples: paracetamol, ibuprofen, diclofenac. Analgesia is distinct from hypnosis/sedation.

🦠 Antibiotics

Broad-spectrum examples: chloramphenicol, tetracycline. Classic penicillins from Penicillium have a relatively narrow spectrum, not activity against only one bacterial type.

🧴 Antiseptics / Disinfectants

Antiseptics act on living tissue; disinfectants are used on non-living surfaces. Examples include chloroxylenol, iodine/iodophors and chlorhexidine, with use depending on formulation.

🔬 Sulpha Drugs

Sulfonamides are synthetic antibacterials containing a −SO₂NH− group. Sulfanilamide was synthesised in 1908; antibacterial use was established in the mid-1930s after Prontosil.

😴 Anaesthetics

Anaesthetics produce loss of sensation. Diethyl ether and chloroform are historical general-anaesthetic examples.

🌿 Quinine

Antimalarial drug. Derived from Cinchona tree

⚠️ Exam Trap — Drugs

Penicillin = obtained from fungus (NOT bacteria); first antibiotic; narrow spectrum
Chloramphenicol: broad-spectrum antibiotic historically used for typhoid; it is not a general fever medicine
Quinine = antimalarial; from Cinchona tree
Sulfanilamide: synthesis (1908), antibacterial use established in the mid-1930s
Aspirin = antipyretic (fever) AND pain killer; NOT antibiotic
Paracetamol = antipyretic + non-narcotic pain killer
Morphine/codeine: opioid analgesics; heroin has high abuse potential and is not a routine analgesic medicine

🎨 Dyes

📘 Dyes

Used for colouring fibres and food items. Chromophore groups (nitro, azo etc.) are responsible for colours.

By Application

Type	Use / Example
Acidic dyes	Acid dyes: wool, silk and nylon; examples: Orange II and related Acid Red dyes
Basic dyes	Basic/cationic dyes: especially acrylic fibres; malachite green and methylene blue
Mordant dyes	Alizarin: red lake with aluminium; other shades depend on the metal mordant

By Chemical Composition

Type	Example
Azo dyes	Methyl Orange
Phthalein dyes	Phenolphthalein
Indigoid dyes	Indigo, Tyrian purple
Anthraquinone	Alizarin (natural)
Triphenylmethane	Green malachite

⚠️ Exam Trap — Dyes

Methyl Orange = Azo dye (also an indicator)
Alizarin: anthraquinone/mordant dye; red with Al, other colours depend on the mordant
Indigo dye = Indigoid type (used in jeans)
Phenolphthalein = Phthalein dye (also indicator)

🧵 Fibres

Natural Fibres

From animals and plants

Cotton (plant)
Flax/Linen (plant)
Wool (animal — sheep)
Silk (animal — silkworm)

Semi-Synthetic Fibres

Man-made

Cellulose acetate
Regenerated cellulose fibres
Rayon (from cellulose)

📋 Synthetic Fibres & Uses

Fibre	Key Uses
Nylon	Toothbrush bristles, ropes, parachutes, fishing nets, clothes
Polyester	Clothes, hosepipes (fire fighting)
Carbon fibre	Spacecraft parts, sporting goods
Acrylic fibre (polyacrylonitrile)	Synthetic blankets (in place of wool)

⚠️ Exam Trap — Fibres

Nylon = used in parachutes, toothbrush bristles, fishing nets
Carbon fibre: spacecraft/aerospace composites and sporting goods
Acrylic fibre (polyacrylonitrile) = synthetic substitute for wool (blankets)

🔬 Types of Glass

📘 Glass

Glass is an amorphous inorganic solid, often silica-based. Na₂O·CaO·6SiO₂ is a simplified approximate soda-lime-glass representation, not a formula for all glass.

Glass Type	Composition	Uses
Soda Glass	Silica with Na₂O and CaO; commonly made from sand, Na₂CO₃ and CaCO₃	Window panes, bottles and ordinary containers
Photo Chromatic	Usual + Silver Chloride	Making sunglasses
Jena borosilicate glass	Heat- and chemical-resistant borosilicate glass	Chemical vessels, scientific instruments
Flint Glass	K carbonate + Lead oxide + Silica	Electric bulbs, cameras, telescope, microscope lens, prism
Crookes Glass	Cerium oxide + Silica	Sunglass lenses
Pyrex Glass	Borosilicate: SiO₂ and B₂O₃, with smaller alkali/alumina components	Lab equipment, pharmaceutical vessels
Quartz / Silica Glass	Melted Silica (SiO₂)	UV lamps, chemical reagent containers
Water Glass	Sodium silicate, Na₂O·nSiO₂; its aqueous solution is water glass	Water-soluble sodium silicate: adhesives, coatings, cleaners and water-treatment uses

🌈 Colouring Agents for Glass

Carbon

Brown / Black

Cadmium Sulphide

Lemon Yellow

Cobalt Oxide

Dark Blue

Cuprous Oxide

Glitter Red

Cupric Oxide

Peacock Blue

Gold Chloride

Ruby Red

Manganese Dioxide

Pink

Ferric Oxide

Brown

K Dichromate

Green

⚠️ Exam Trap — Glass

Jena-type borosilicate glass is used for heat- and chemical-resistant laboratory ware; there is no universal “best glass”
Sunglasses = Photo chromatic (Silver Chloride); also Crookes glass (Cerium oxide)
Cobalt oxide = Dark Blue; Gold chloride = Ruby Red
Alizarin forms a red lake with Al; shades vary with the mordant metal
Glass = Amorphous solid (NOT crystalline)
Water Glass = Na silicate; soluble in water

🏗️ Cement & Fertilisers

Cement

Portland Cement — Joseph Aspdin (1824)

CaO: ~60–67%
SiO₂: ~17–25%
Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ are important minor constituents; proportions vary

Fertilisers

Plant Nutrients

N (Nitrogenous): Urea (NH₂CONH₂), Ammonium sulphate
Phosphatic fertilisers: single superphosphate (SSP), diammonium phosphate (DAP)
Potash fertilisers: KCl and K₂SO₄
NPK: Nitrogen + Phosphorus + Potassium

🧬 Polymers

📘 Definition

Compounds of high molecular weight formed by combining repeating small molecules (monomers).
nCH₂=CH₂ → (–CH₂–CH₂–)ₙ = Polythene

Polythene

Monomer: Ethylene

Polystyrene

Monomer: Styrene

PVC

Monomer: Vinyl Chloride

Bakelite

Formaldehyde + Phenol

Urea Formaldehyde Resin

Urea + Formaldehyde

Melamine

Melamine + Formaldehyde; fire resistant

Thermoplastic

Softens when heated

Polythene
PVC
Can be remoulded and recycled

Thermosetting

Does NOT soften when heated

Bakelite — heat & electricity insulator; power switches
Melamine-formaldehyde resin: hard, heat-resistant thermoset used in laminates/tableware
Cannot be remoulded

⚠️ Exam Trap — Polymers

Bakelite = Thermosetting (NOT thermoplastic); power switch insulator
PVC = Thermoplastic
Melamine-formaldehyde: heat-resistant thermosetting resin; common uses include laminates and tableware
Polythene monomer = Ethylene (CH₂=CH₂)
Bakelite monomers = Formaldehyde + Phenol

⚙️ Rubber

Natural Rubber

Obtained from vegetable milk (latex)
Elastic polymer
Monomer: Isoprene
Properties: soft, sticky when hot; brittle when cold; not ideal

Synthetic Rubber

Neoprene — polymer of Chloroprene
Buna-N — another synthetic rubber
Better properties than natural rubber in many ways

Vulcanisation

Process to improve rubber quality

Sulfur cross-links suitable rubber; ZnO commonly acts as an activator, typically at 140–160°C (413–433 K), depending on formulation
Results: harder, stronger, more elastic, less sticky
Tyre rubber: relatively low, formulation-dependent sulfur content
Historical ebonite battery cases: much higher sulfur content than ordinary tyre rubber

💥 Explosives

Explosive	Details
RDX	Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (cyclonite/hexogen), C₃H₆N₆O₆
Nitroglycerin and dynamite	Nitroglycerin = glyceryl trinitrate; dynamite contains nitroglycerin absorbed in porous material. Nobel patented dynamite in 1867.

⚠️ Exam Trap — Rubber & Explosives

Natural rubber monomer = Isoprene
Vulcanisation temperature = 413–433 K (typically)
Tyres use less sulfur than hard rubber/ebonite; exact percentages vary by formulation
Dynamite → Alfred Nobel, patent 1867; nitroglycerin is its explosive ingredient
RDX: cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, also called cyclonite/hexogen

🍎 Food Chemistry — Preservatives & Sweeteners

Food Preservatives

Prevent spoilage of food items

Sodium benzoate
Salt (NaCl)
Sugar
Oil
Salts of sorbic and propanoic acid

Antioxidants

Prevent oxidation of food

Antioxidant	Food Source
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)	Fruits and vegetables
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)	Vegetable oil
Carotenoids	Fruits and vegetables (orange/yellow)
Polyphenolic antioxidants	Tea, Coffee, Chocolate, Soyabean
BHA / BHT	Synthetic antioxidants in packaged food

🍬 High-Intensity Sweetening Agents

Aspartame

~200×

sweeter than sucrose

High-intensity sweetener; restricted in PKU

Saccharin

~200–700×

sweeter than sucrose

o-Sulfobenzimide; use within established intake limits

Sucralose

600×

sweeter than sucrose

Trichloro derivative of sucrose

Alitame

2000×

sweeter than sucrose

Very high-intensity sweetener; not strongest known

⚠️ Exam Trap — Sweeteners

Alitame: about 2000× sucrose; not the strongest sweetener known
Saccharin (o-sulfobenzimide): ~200–700× sucrose; permitted use has established intake limits
Sucralose = trichloro derivative of sucrose; 600× sweeter
Aspartame: ~200× sucrose; people with phenylketonuria (PKU) must restrict it
High-intensity sweeteners reduce added sugar; not exclusively for people with diabetes, and finished-product composition still matters

🎯 High-Yield Exam Points

Antacid = controls HCl acidity; e.g., Mg(OH)₂
Antipyretics = fever; e.g., Paracetamol, Aspirin, Brufen
H₁ antihistamines: relief of histamine-mediated allergy symptoms such as itching, sneezing and hives
Penicillin = from fungus; narrow spectrum; first antibiotic
Chloramphenicol: broad-spectrum antibiotic; historical typhoid use
Sulfanilamide: synthesis (1908), antibacterial use established in the mid-1930s
Quinine = antimalarial; from Cinchona tree
Diethyl ether and chloroform: historical general-anaesthetic examples
Methyl orange: azo dye. Alizarin: anthraquinone/mordant dye; red with aluminium, other shades depend on the mordant
Nylon = parachutes, toothbrush, fishing nets
Carbon fibre = spacecraft parts
Jena: heat- and chemical-resistant laboratory borosilicate glass
Cobalt oxide → Dark Blue glass | Gold chloride → Ruby Red glass
Portland Cement: Joseph Aspdin (1824); CaO ~60–67%
Natural rubber monomer = Isoprene
Vulcanisation: typically 140–160°C with sulfur; ZnO commonly activates cure. Tyre and ebonite sulfur percentages are formulation-dependent.
Bakelite = Thermosetting (Formaldehyde + Phenol)
PVC monomer = Vinyl Chloride | Polythene monomer = Ethylene
Dynamite: Alfred Nobel, 1867 patent; distinguish dynamite from nitroglycerin and other explosives
RDX = cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (cyclonite/hexogen)
Food preservative = Sodium benzoate
Alitame = 2000× | Saccharin = ~200–700× | Sucralose = 600× | Aspartame = ~200×

⚠️ Most Common Exam Traps

Penicillin = from fungus (NOT bacteria)
Aspirin = antipyretic + pain killer (NOT antibiotic)
Quinine = Cinchona tree (NOT synthetic)
Bakelite = Thermosetting (NOT thermoplastic)
Glass = Amorphous solid (NOT crystalline)
Jena and Pyrex-type laboratory ware are associated with heat-resistant borosilicate glass
Sulfur level is formulation-dependent; hard rubber/ebonite generally uses much more than tyre rubber
Alitame: ~2000× sucrose; not the strongest sweetener known
Saccharin: ~200–700× sucrose; avoid blanket harmlessness claims and follow established intake limits
Nobel: dynamite patent (1867); RDX: cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine

🏠 Chemistry in Everyday Life