Acetonitrile in the Pharmaceutical Industry

By Jillian Jastrzembski

October 9, 2023
Acetonitrile in the Pharmaceutical Industry

History has shown that acetonitrile is practically irreplaceable in many industries, the most critical of which is the pharmaceutical industry. This clear, colorless solvent, is an organic cyanide (also known by the name methyl cyanide). It has a methyl group (―CH3) bonded to a cyano group (―C ≡ N). Its chemical structure make it uniquely suited as an analytical reagent, reaction solvent, and synthetic substrate. One reason why acetonitrile is so important to the pharmaceutical industry is because it is a convenient source of cyanide, which is present in many medicinal compounds. It can also be used in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, which are known for their biological activity. Many critical applications of acetonitrile require high purity, USP grade chemicals that cannot be obtained via recycled waste.

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The role of glycerin in skin care formulations

By Jillian Jastrzembski

October 4, 2023
Glycerin

Glycerin, also known as glycerol, has been used in cosmetic skin care formulas for the past one hundred years. In fact, it is in the top three most common cosmetic ingredients, after water and fragrance. This widespread use is largely thanks to its valuable moisturizing and soothing properties, and of course its low toxicity. Also known by its IUPAC name, propane-1,2,3-triol, glycerin is comprised of three hydrophilic hydroxyl groups (-OH) on a 3-Carbon backbone. Because of its hydrophilic chemical structure, glycerin acts as a humectant that locks moisture into the skin, maintaining hydration and optimizing skin barrier function. A major appeal of glycerin is that it is actually produced naturally by the skin. In fact, it is an essential chemical for skin health.

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Ethyl Acetate in the Cosmetics Industry

By Jillian Jastrzembski

September 24, 2023
Ethyl Acetate in the Cosmetics Industry

Ethyl acetate is found all over the cosmetics industry. It solubilizes other ingredients easily and evaporates quickly. It may also impart a fruit or wine-like aroma, and inhibit microbial activity. In some cases, like nail polish and nail polish removers, it may be the first ingredient on the label. In other cases, its role is less obvious, like when it’s used as a solvent to extract bioactive compounds from plants. Although caution should still be taken with sensitive skin and chronic exposure, ethyl acetate has relatively low risk of irritation and is generally preferred to harsher solvents like acetone.

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The use of potassium chloride in the food industry

By Jillian Jastrzembski

September 11, 2023
The use of potassium chloride the food industry

Potassium chloride (KCl) may have an important role to play in the future of the food industry. That’s because potassium chloride is a promising table salt substitute – a sodium-free salt that can be used in processed foods to help reduce sodium intake across the population. Sodium intake, and more importantly, a high ratio of sodium to potassium, is a leading contributor to high blood pressure. Salt alternatives like KCl can be combined with regular NaCl and other flavor enhancers to give us the salty flavor we love, without the dangers of excess sodium consumption. Even though there is a start-up cost to reformulating food products, there is also a huge marketing potential and health incentive for the sale of low-sodium food products.

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The industrial uses of sodium hypochlorite

By Adrian Dingle

August 29, 2023
The industrial uses of sodium hypochlorite

You might be more familiar with sodium hypochlorite than you realize. Sodium hypochlorite, or NaOCl, also goes by the name sodium chlorate (I), but you probably know it simply as bleach. It is a crystalline, pale-yellow solid that looks a lot like regular salt. NaOCl dissociates in water to form OCl- and HOCl, a strong oxidizing and bactericidal agent. NaOCl is not only a familiar household product used for laundry and cleaning, it is also used in swimming pools, textiles, paper, and food processing.

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Polyethylene Glycol: the fully customizable compound

By Jillian Jastrzembski

August 21, 2023
Polyethylene Glycol

Polyethylene glycol, or PEG for short, is incredibly useful because it is both highly customizable and nontoxic. PEG consists of repeating units of ethylene glycol, [-(CH2CH2O)n], and can be derivatized to include different functional groups. Based on these parameters, PEG can have multiple different molecular weights. The molecular weight is important, because this will contribute to the key properties of the substance. For example, the length of the polymeric chain determines whether PEG is a liquid or a solid, as well as how it is metabolized by the body. Due to its excellent solubilizing properties, water-holding capacity, and biological inertness, PEG is the polymer of choice for drug delivery systems.

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Diethyl Ether to Reduce Emissions from Diesel Engines

By Jillian Jastrzembski

August 14, 2023
Diethyl Ether to Reduce Emissions from Diesel Engines

Diesel engines remain a valuable and efficient source of power, even with the introduction of electric vehicles. Emissions from diesel engines have been reduced greatly in the past century, but there is still room for improvement. Diethyl ether can be used as a fuel additive to help reduce emissions, and can be used to recover the function of the engine even with high ratios of biodiesel. Diethyl ether is a valuable resource to reduce the environmental impact of diesel engines and national dependence on foreign petroleum sources.

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Optimizing pre-workout formulations: the role of caffeine

By Jillian Jastrzembski

August 1, 2023
Optimizing pre-workout formulations: the role of caffeine

Whether you’re looking to buy a pre-workout supplement, concoct your own, or market to others, it’s essential to understand the science behind the gimmick. Caffeine is the primary ingredient responsible for the physical and cognitive boost. Other ingredients in pre-workout supplements have not been studied extensively. And most importantly: there is no one size fits all – what works for some may not work for others.

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Everything you needed to know about acetone for extraction

By Jillian Jastrzembski

July 18, 2023
acetone

Thanks to its intermediate polarity, acetone is a perfect choice for extracting solutes that fall somewhere between water and lipids. Furthermore, it is useful for extracting lipids from matrices of high water content. Finally, it can be mixed with a wide range of solvents to create a new extraction medium with the perfect properties.

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Chemicals For Swimming Pools

By Alexandra Nelson

June 28, 2023
Chemicals And Natural Cleaners For Swimming Pools

When it comes to pool maintenance and treatment, balancing the pool’s chemical levels, sanitizing, oxidizing, and preventing algae from happening is a priority. The pool’s water balance is measured for its alkalinity, pH, calcium hardness, temperature, total dissolved solids, levels of cyanuric acid, and the chemicals utilized for its treatment. All those pieces work together to maintain a healthy and safe pool for everyone to use.

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