Identifying specific chemicals can be a complex task, especially when different names and variations are used across languages and industries. To simplify this process, the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) has assigned unique CAS Registry Numbers to over 163 million organic and inorganic compounds. These numbers, typically formatted as a series of digits separated by hyphens (e.g., xxxx-yy-z), act like a chemical's "social security number." No matter what name a compound is known by, it will always have only one CAS Number. This system has significantly reduced confusion in scientific communication, particularly for substances with multiple names or long, complicated structures.
Take methanol, for example. It’s known by many names such as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, carbinol, and even MeOH. These are just English synonyms—imagine how much more confusing it could get if you had to deal with translations or alternative naming conventions. By using its CAS Number, 67-56-1, scientists, students, and professionals can universally refer to the same substance without ambiguity. Moreover, CAS Numbers distinguish between different forms of the same compound. For instance, Cupric Oxide can appear as a wire (CAS Number 1317-38-0) or as a black powder (CAS Number 1317-39-1). The distinction is crucial in lab settings, industrial applications, and educational contexts.
CAS was established in 1907 as a division of the American Chemical Society, initially to help scientists access research literature. In the 1960s, the CAS Registry introduced the CAS Number system to streamline chemical identification. By 1980, the CAS online database was launched, becoming an essential tool for researchers worldwide. Today, regulatory agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Union’s REACH program rely on CAS Numbers for accurate chemical identification and regulation. They are widely used in both academic and industrial settings, and they’re completely free to access.
If you're looking to find a CAS Number, there are several reliable sources. Two of the most trusted are ChemIDplus from the National Library of Medicine and the NIST Chemistry Webbook from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Let’s walk through an example using ChemIDplus. Simply search “ChemIDplus†on Google, click the first result, and go to the “ChemIDplus Advanced†page. Enter the compound name—let’s use ibuprofen as an example. You’ll see that it appears as the primary substance name. If you search for a common brand name like “Advil,†you may need to check the “Names and Synonyms†section to confirm it refers to the same compound. Once you locate the correct entry, the CAS Number will usually appear directly below the name, often labeled as “RN†for Registry Number.
It’s important to note that CAS Numbers can appear differently depending on the source. Some websites might display them in brackets or use other notations. However, each form of a compound has its own unique CAS Number, so always double-check the match. A wrong number could lead to serious consequences, especially in laboratory or industrial settings.
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