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Various synthetic polymers
- Carpeting, plastic wrap, nonstick pans, plastic cups, rain gear
- Hip joints, teeth, heart valves, blood vessels
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Methanol
- wood alcohol
- headaches, blindness, death
- car racing fuel
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ethanol
- grain alcohol
- solvent in perfumes, varnishes, medicine
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isopropyl alcohol
- Rubbing alcohol
- astringent agent
- reduce fever of small children
-
ethylene glycol
- antifreeze
- solvent for paints, inks, plastics
- toxic
- sweet taste (kids and cats)
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glycerol
- very thick
- bi-product of soap production
- skin softener - lotions, cosmetics, shaving creams, liquid soaps
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Phenols
- Eugenol - cloves
- Vanillin - vanilla
- Isoeugenol - nutmeg
- Thymol - thyme and mint (mouthwash)
- 2-phenylphenol - disinfectant sprays
- Urushiol - poison ivy
- Highly acidic, must be dilute
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Ethers
- Solvent
- Used to be popular antesthetic
- Diethyl ether - first anesthetic used, highly flammable and explosive
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Aldehydes
- Various aromas: cinnamon, vanilla, almonds, citronella candles, roses
- Formaldehyde: insulation, carpeting, pressed wood. Formalin (40% formaldehyde) biological preservative, toxic
- Acetaldehyde - sweet smell, overripe fruit, less toxic, oxidation of booze
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Ketones
- various aromas: jasmine flowers, male musk
- hormones including sex hormones
- Acetone - good solvent, cleaning agent, varnishes, lacquers, nail polish remover. Not toxic, but can be huffed (model-airplane glue). Produced in body during diabetes, fasting, and high-protein diets during fat metabolism.
- MEK - industrial cleaner
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Monocarboxylic Acids
- Formic acid: ant / bee stings
- Acetic acid: vinegar
- Propanoic acid: dairy products
- Butyric acid: rancid butter
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Dicarboxylic Acids
- Oxalic acid: vegetables, poisonous in high concentration, used to remove rust, bleach straw and leather, remove ink stains
- Succinic and gluaric acid: biological reactions that occur in body
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Tricarboxylic Acids
Citric acid: metabolism, in blood, fruit, sour taste, shampoo buffer, hair gel, alkaseltzer fizz
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Esters
fragrances of perfumes, flowers, fruits (rum, pears, bananas, oranges, pineapples, apricots)
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