50 Examples of Molecules


A molecule It is the union of two or more atoms (of the same or different chemical elements) through chemical bonds, which form a stable set. For example: the water molecule is HtwoOR.

Molecules constitute the smallest division of a chemical substance without losing its physico-chemical properties or being denatured (that is, there is a non-atomic structural change of biomolecules such as proteins or nucleic acids, which leads to the loss of their biological functions). Molecules are generally electrically neutral (except the molecular ions, which are molecules with a positive or negative charge).

The interactions between the molecules of a substance they show its physical state: being close together, the interactions will be greater and it will be a solid; with mobility, it will be a liquid; and of being very dispersed and with a lot of mobility (although without separating completely) it will be a gas.

molecules 3d illustration

Examples of molecules

Water: Htwo0Sucrose: C12H22OReleven
Hydrogen: HtwoPropanal: C3H8OR
Oxygen: OtwoPropenal: C3H6OR
Methane: CH4Para-aminobenzoic acid: C7H7NOtwo
Chlorine: CltwoFluorine: Ftwo
Hydrochloric acid: HClButane: C4H10
Carbon dioxide: COtwoAcetone: C3H6OR
Carbon monoxide: COAcetylsalicylic acid: C9H8OR4
Lithium hydroxide: LiOHEthanoic acid: CtwoH4ORtwo
Bromine: BrtwoCellulose: (C6H10OR5) n
Iodine: ItwoDextrose: C6H12OR6
Ammonium: NH4Trinitrotoluene: C7H5N3OR6
Sulfuric acid: HtwoSW4Ribose: C5H10OR5
Propane: C3H8Methanal: CHtwoOR
Sodium hydroxide: NaOHSilver nitrate: AgNO3
Sodium chloride: NaClSodium cyanide: NaCN
Sulfur dioxide: SOtwoHydrobromic acid: HBr
Calcium sulfate: CaSO4Galactose: C6H12OR6
Ethanol: CtwoH5OhNitrous acid: HNOtwo
Phosphoric acid: H3PO4Silica: SiOtwo
Fullerene: C60Sodium thiopentate: CelevenH17NtwoORtwoSNa
Glucose: C6H12OR6Barbituric acid: C4H4NtwoOR3
Sodium Acid Sulfate: NaHSO4Urea: CO (NH2)two
Boron trifluoride: BF3Ammonium Chloride: NH4Cl
Chloroform: CHCl3Ammonia: NH3

Types of molecules

Molecules can be classified according to different criteria:

According to its atomic composition:

  • Discrete molecules. They are made up of a defined and specific number of atoms, either of different elements or of the same chemical element. They may be:
    • Homonuclear molecules. They are composed of atoms of the same chemical element, for example, dinitrogen (Ntwo).
    • Heteronuclear molecules. They are composed of atoms of different chemical elements, for example, carbon dioxide (COtwo).
  • Macromolecules or polymers. Macromolecules are large molecular chains made up of simpler pieces called monomers, which are linked together to form more complex constructions. It is important to know that all polymers are macromolecules, but not all macromolecules are polymers.

The kind of traditional notation of the molecules is expressed in relation to the atomic content present, by means of the symbols of the periodic table to represent the elements involved and a subscript that expresses their numerical relationship within the molecule.

However, since molecules also have three-dimensional structural arrangements, a visual model that reflects the structure and not just the quantity of its elements is often used for their complete understanding.

Molecules

Molecules

According to the number of atoms that are integrated into its structure:

  • Monatomic molecules. Made up of a single atom. For example: helium (He).
  • Diatomic molecules. Made up of two atoms. For example: molecular oxygen (Otwo).
  • Triatomic molecules. Made up of three atoms. For example: the water (HtwoOR).
  • Tetraatomic molecules. Made up of four atoms. For example: ammonia (NH3), and so on.