Below is a list of common chemical names, their chemical formula, common name, storage code, mass and density, as well as notes on where to find the chemical (other than a chemical supply house).  Use as a reference when conducting chemistry experiments, shopping for chemical supplies, and storing chemicals at home, or setting up your own chemistry lab.

If you find a missing chemical that you would like added, shoot Geek Slop an email and he’ll add it to the list.

Storage color codes

White	Corrosive	Store away from combustible and flammable chemicals.
Yellow	Reactive/Oxidizer	May react violently with water. Store separate from combustible and flammable chemicals.
Red	Flammable	Store only with other flammable materials.
Blue	Toxic	Store in secure area.
Green	Moderate	Store in general chemical storage.
Gray or Orange (obsolete)	Moderate	Store in general chemical storage.
Stripes	Incompatible	Incompatible with other reagents of the same color code. Store separately.

Note: Shelf Life (Life) in RED indicates peroxide forming timeline, i.e. after X lifetime, this chemical may begin forming dangerous peroxides.

Chemical name	Chemical formula	Common names	Molar Mass (g/mol)	Density	Storage code	Life (mo)	Notes
Acetaldehyde	C2H4O		59.067	0-30% (18°C)	Red Stripe
Acetamide	C2H5NO		60.052	0-6% (15°C)	Blue
Acetic acid	CH3COOH	5% Solution: White vinegar	96.086	0-100% (20°C)	Red		White vinegar is 5% solution, Cleaning vinegar is 10% solution.  May also be found in photography supply store as “Indicator Stop Bath” at 89% solution.
Acetone	CH3COCH3	Acetone	17.031	0-100% (20°C)	Red		Can be found as nail polish remover, fiberglass cleaner.  Industrial grade paint removers will contain more acetone.re acetone still. Some stores sell pure acetone as well.
Acetylene gas	C2H2	Ethyne			Red		Found at hardware stores or welding supply houses as “acetylene”.
Acetylsalicylic acid	C9H8O4	Aspirin	180.16		Green
Aluminum (powder)	Al	Aluminum			Red		Can be found at art supply stores or fiberglass supply shops as aluminum powder.
Aluminum ammonium sulfate	AlNH4(SO4)2	ammonium alum			Green		Found at art supply house as mordant for dying and painting. May be found in organic food supply store by name.
Aluminum chloride	AICL3		62.068	0-40% (15°C)	Yellow		Known as sal ammoniac.  May be found in hardware store.
Aluminum hydroxide	Al(OH)3	alumina hydrate			Green		Some Antacid Tablets may contain 100% (e.g. Alu-cap, Amphojel, Dialume)
Aluminum nitrate	AI(NO3)3		368.343		Yellow		Nitrate of ammonia may be found in a garden supply store.
Aluminum oxide	Al2O3	alumina			Green		Found at welding/industrial supply houses as “sandblasting sand”.
Aluminum potassium sulfate	KAl(SO4)2	Alum, potassium aluminum sulfate			Green		Found as mordant for clothing dyes (e.g. RIT).
Aluminum sulfate	Al2(SO4)3	Flocculating Powder	68.007	0-26% (15°C)	Green		Found as swimming pool chemical by name.
Ammonia	NH3(aq); NH4OH	Ammonia, Ammonium Hydroxide	128.355	0-30% (20°C)	Green		Household ammonia typically a 10% solution, drug store as “strong ammonia at 27%, or in a pure form from welding supply store.  Note: shake it, if bubble appear then it is impure and contains soap.
Ammonium bicarbonate	(NH4)HCO3	Salt of Hartshorn, Baker’s Ammonia			Green
Ammonium bifluoride	NH4HF2	Ammonium hydrogen fluoride			White		May be found at hardware store as toilet bowl cleaner or rust stain remover.
Ammonium bromide	NH4Br	—			Green		Found at photography store as “bleach bath” for photograph development.
Ammonium carbonate	(NH4)2CO3	Smelling Salts, Salt of Hartshorn, Baker’s Ammonia	134.452		Green		Found at drug store as smelling salts.
Ammonium chloride	NH4Cl	Soldering Flux	30.026	0-24% (20°C)	Green		Found at hardware store as “salt of ammon”.
Ammonium hydroxide	NH4OH		100.459	0-62% (20°C)	White Stripe	36
Ammonium nitrate	NH4NO3	Ammonium Nitrate	329.244	0-50% (20°C)	Yellow (separate)		Found at garden supply as “nitrate of ammonia” or in pharmacy as single-use cold packs.
Ammonium persulfate	(NH4)2S2O8	Etching Solution, Ammonium Peroxodisulphate			yellow		Found at electronics supply as “circuit board etching solution”
Ammonium phosphate	(NH4)3PO4	Fertilizer			Green		Found at garden supply by name
Ammonium sulfate	(NH4)2SO4	—	84.007	0-50% (20°C)	Green		Found at garden supply as fertilizer or pH adjuster.
Amylose	(C6H9O5)n	Cornstarch					Found at grocery store as corn starch.
Anthocyanin	—	—					Can be extracted from Red Cabbage by cutting, boiling, then filtering.
Argon gas	Ar	—					Found at welding supply store by name. It’s also the inert filler gas inside incandescent light bulbs but good luck sucking it out.
Ascorbic acid	C6H8O6	Vitamin C			Green		Found as Vitamin C tablets.
Barium carbonate	BaCO3	—			Green
Barium chloride	BaCl2		180.156	0-26% (20°C)	Blue	36
Barium hydroxide	Ba(OH)2		94.11		Blue
Barium nitrate	Ba(NO3)3		214.001		Yellow
Barium sulfate	BaSO4	Lithopone			Green		Often used  as a radio contrast agent for x-rays and CAT scans.
Benzoyl peroxide	C14H10O4	benzoic acid peroxide			Red Stripe		Found at hardware store as 50% benzoyl peroxide under the brand name “Minwax High Performance Wood Filler”.
Bismuth	Bi	Lead-free shot/sinkers			White (concentrated)
Bismuth subsalicylate	C7H5BiO4	Pepto-Bismol					Active ingredient in Pepto-bismol and Kaopectate.
Boric acid	H3BO3	Ant/Roach Killer			Green		Found at grocery store, drug store, hardware store by name.
Bromthymol blue	C27H28Br2O5S	pH Test			Green	24	Often used in aquarium pH test kits.
Butane	C4H10	Butane			Red		Found at camping stores as stove fuel.
Caffeine	C8H10N4O2	No-Doz			Green		Found at grocery store but often blended with starch.
Cadmium sulfide	CdS	Cadmium Yellow					Found at fine art supply house.
Calcium carbide	CaC2	—			Red Stripe
Calcium carbonate	CaCO3	Limestone, Carbonate of Lime			Green		Found at builder’s supply as chalk, limestone and marble chips and in fine art stores as “marble dust” or “precipitated chalk”.
Calcium chloride	CaCl2	Laundry Aid/Road Salt/De-Icer	339.787	0-40% (20°C)	Green	36	Found at hardware store as road salt or in pool supply as a water hardening agent.
Calcium hydroxide	Ca(OH)2	Slaked Lime, garden lime	97.995		Green		Found at garden store.  Can be made from lime or quicklime by adding water to create slaked lime. Can be made by dissolving calcium chloride with sodium hydroxide in water.
Calcium hypochlorite	Ca(ClO)2	—			Yellow
Calcium nitrate	Ca(NO3)2	Norwegian saltpeter	80.103	0-68% (18°C)	Yellow		Available from garden supply and agricultural supply stores as a fertilizer.
Calcium oxide	CaO	Lime, Quicklime			Green		Can be made by heating calcium carbonate at very high temperatures (> 740 °C).
Calcium phosphate, monobasic	Ca(H2PO4)2	superphosphate			Green		Found at garden supply stores.
Calcium sulfate anhydrous	CaSO4	—	39.997		Green		Found at art supply stores as Terra Alba. Can be made from commonly available plaster of paris by additional heating to above 180C.
Calcium sulfate dihydrate	CaSO4	Gypsum			Green		Can be made from the reaction of Plaster of Paris with Water.
Calcium sulfate, hemihydrate	CaSO4	Plaster of Paris			Green		Found at hardware stores, arts and craft stores, and hobby shops.
Camphor	C10H16O	—			Red		Found at Chinese grocery stores as a flavor additive.
Carbon	C	Soot, Graphite, Graphene, Carbon nanotubes, Fullerenes, Diamond, Charcoal			Red		Found at pet supply store as activated charcoal for fish tanks. Found in art supply stores as Lamp Black pigment. Can be extracted from graphite leads used in pencils.  Pure or near-pure carbon can be produced through the reaction of Sucrose with Sulfuric Acid.  Could probably be extracted from your mother’s diamond necklace.
Carbon dioxide	CO2	—			Various		Found at party stores as dry ice.  Found at sporting good stores in gas form as propellant for air guns.
Carbon disulfide	CS2		74.072
Carbonic acid	H2CO3	—			Blue		Soda water is a dilute solution of carbonic acid. Can be made in varying strengths with home soda makers.
Carrageenan	—	—					Used in many commercial food preparations as a thickener and gelling agent.
Cellulose	(C6H10O5)n	—			Green		Can be extracted from undyed, processed cotton  or 100% cotton paper.
Chloroauric acid	HAuCl4		76.141
Chloroform	CHCl3		74.122		Blue	Air
Chromium(III) chloride	CrCl3		144.0105	0-14% (18°C)	Green
Chromium(III) nitrate	Cr(NO3)3		128.034		Yellow
Chromium(III) sulfate	Cr2(SO4)3		68.995	0-40% (15°C)	Green
Chromium oxide	Cr2O3	Chrome Green	102.894	0-60% (15°C)	Blue		Found at art supply houses as a powder (green pigment) or at hardware store as ‘Green Rouge’ for polishing metal.
Chromium(VI) oxide	CrO3		102.894	0-60%(15°C)
Citric acid	C6H8O7	Sour Salt	80.043	0-55% (20°C)	Green		Found at photography supply stores and in grocery store as “sour salt”.
Cobalt(II) nitrate	Co(NO3)2		85.104		Yellow
Cobalt(II) sulfate	CoSO4		84.995		Green
Copper	Cu	—			Red (powder)		Found at hardware stores as electrical wire, copper pipe, copper sheeting.  Pennies prior to 1982 are 95% copper (5% zinc).
Copper(I) chloride	Cu2Cl2		284.047	0-20% (20C)
Copper(II) chloride	CuCL2		151.748	0-20% (20°C)
Copper naphthenate	Cu(C11H10O2)2	cupric naphthenate					Found at hardware store as wood preservative (e.g. Wolman, Jasco) in up to 25% copper naphthenate solutions.
Copper(II) nitrate	Co(NO3)2		79.100	0-25% (20°C)
Copper(II) sulfate (anhydrous)	CuSO4	cupric sulfate (anhydrous)	128.526	0-20% (18°C)			Found at garden supply store as a rootkiller.
Copper sulfate pentahydrate	CuSO45H2O	cupric sulfate, blue vitriol, bluestone					Found at garden supply store as rootkiller (e.g. Zep Root Kill, Rooto Root Kill) and for pest control.
Cyanuric acid	C3H3N3O3	isocyanuric acid					Found at  swimming pool and lawn/yard supply stores as a chlorine stabilizer.
Dextrose	C6H12O6	glucose, corn syrup			Green		Found at grocery store as corn syrup. Dextrose is right-handed (dextrorotatory) glucose. Levulose is left-handed (levorotatory) glucose. Most products are a half-and-half mix.
Dichloroacetic acid	C2H2Cl2O2		299.025	0-30%(20°C)	White
Dichloromethane	CH2Cl2	methylene chloride			Blue		Found at hardware store as a solvent, degreaser and adhesive remover up to around 74% purity.
Dimethyl sulfoxide	(CH3)2SO	DMSO			Red		Found at  health food and naturopathic supply stores for treating injuries. Warning: DMSO will allow anything it has dissolved to pass directly through your skin into your bloodstream.
Ethanol/ethyl alcohol	C2H5OH	Everclear			Red		Found at liquor stores as 95% pure ethanol and 5% water. Found at hardware stores in denatured form.
Ether	(C2H5)2O	diethyl ether, ethoxyethane			Red	12	Found at auto supply stores in aerosol cans as “Starter Fluid” or “Cold Start Spray”.
Ethylene glycol	CH2OHCH2OH	1,2-ethanediol	125.844	0-60% (20°C)	Green		Found at auto supply stores as antifreezes.
Eugenol	CH2CH2CH2C6H3(OCH3)OH	oil of clove, 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenol			Green		Found at health food stores as a somewhat impure form of clove oil.
Formaldehyde	CH2O2		171.342	0-40%(15°C)		36
Formic acid	CH2O2	methanoic acid	171.342	0-100% (20°C)	Red		Found at hardware stores as stain removers.  Can be extracted from the blue chamber of “Clorox Dual Action Toilet Bowl Cleanser” in 5% dilution.
Fructose	C6H12O6	Fruit Sugar	296.653	0-48% (20°C)	Various		Found at grocery stores.
Glucose	C6H12O6	Dextrose, corn syrup	74.079	0-60% (20°C)	Green		Found at grocery stores as corn syrup.
Glycerin, glycerol	C3H8O3	1,2,3-propanetriol	32.042	0-100% (20°C)	Green		Found at drug stores as a skin softener.
Gold	Au	—			Green		Found in dad’s gold coin collection (99% pure) or as gold dust or gold foil from art supply stores.  Note: Gold jewelry is typically not pure gold.
Gum Arabic	CH4O3S	gum acacia			Green		Found at art supply stores as a binder for turning pigments into paints.
Helium	He	—			Red		Found at party supply stores, often as a mixture of helium and normal air (balloon gas).
Hexamine	C6H12N4	Hexamethylenetetramine					Sold at camping stores as solid fuel tables (typically in combination with 1,3,5-trioxane).
Hydrazine	N2H4		154.756	0-60%(15°C)
Hydrogen gas	H2	Hydrogen			Red		Can be captured from electrolysis of water or by adding aluminum foil to a solution of Sodium Hydroxide (highly flammable and explosive).
Hydrobromic acid	HB4		53.491	0-65%(257deg;C)	White
Hydrochloric acid	HCl	Masonry Cleaner, Muriatic acid	92.096	0-40% (20°C)	White	24	Found at hardware store as masonry cleaner and in silverware cleaner typically in concentrations as high as 35%. Can be made by performing electrolysis on salt water with platinum anodes and cathodes, and combining the gases away from sunlight.
Hydrocyanic acid	HCN		35.046	0-16%(15C)
Hydrofluoric acid	HF	Glass Etching Solution	208.233	0-50% (20°C)	White		Can be found at hardware store as aluminum brightener and tire cleaner, at art supply for etching glass, or at grocery store as a rust remover. Note: hydrofluoric acid must be stored in polyethylene or Teflon containers – it’ll eat through glass containers.
Hypochlorous acid	HClO	Laundry Bleach					Found at grocery store as bleach.
Hydroquinone	C6H6O2	—			Green		Found at photography stores.
Hydrogen peroxide	H2O2	Peroxide	106.441	0-100% (18°C)	Yellow (concentrated)		Found at drug store as hydrogen peroxide antiseptic (3%), Clairoxide hair bleach (12%).  May be found at health food stores as a source of “natural oxygen” in 35%. Warning: Do not heat unless your lifelong dream is to become a self-propelled rocket.
Hydroiodic acid	HI		119.378		White
Iodic acid	HIO3		409.818		Green
Iodine	I2	Iodide			White	18	Found at drug stores as solution of iodine and ethyl alcohol used for treating wounds.  Available at camping stores as water sterilization chemical. Iodine is illicitly used in the production of methamphetamine, making iodine somewhat difficult to obtain.
Iron (powder)	Fe	—			Red Stripe		Found at hardware stores as steel wool, iron nails, iron bolts, nuts, and screws.
Iron(II) ammonium sulfate	FeSO4+(NH4)2SO4		189.616
(Iron(III) Chloride (Ferric chloride)	FeCl3	Etching Solution	32.045	0-50% (20°C)	Green		Found at electronics stores as an etching solution for circuit boards.
Iron(III) Oxide (Ferric oxide)	Fe2O3	Rust			Green		Found at art supply stores in purified form as the artists pigment “Red Iron Oxide”.  It’s nothing more than rust – it’s everywhere!
Iron(II III)Oxide (Ferrous ferric oxide)	Fe3O4	Magnetite			Green		Found at art supply stores as the artists pigment “Mars Black”.
Iron(II) sulfate	FeSO4	Ferrous sulfate, Sulfate of iron, Copperas					Found at garden supply stores as a nutrient or at textile supply stores  as a mordant for pigments.
Iron(III) sulfate	Fe2(SO4)3		210.90	0-20% (17.5°C)
Kerosene	CnH2n+1 (n=12–16)	Aviation Fuel			Red		Found at hardware stores as lamp oil or kerosene.
Lactic acid	C3H6O3	Milk Acid	394.995	0-80% (20°C)	White Stripe		Found at grocery stores and health food stores.
Lactose	C12H22O11		74.551	0-18%(20°C)	Green
Latex	C3H6O3	Liquid Latex Body Paint					Found at hobby shops, magic stores, and oddly, at adult stores (don’t ask).
Lead	Pb	—			Blue		May be found at sporting good stores as lead shot or lead sinkers (may be alloyed with tin).
Lead(II) acetate	Pb(C2H3O2)2		133.341		Blue
Lead(II) chloride	PbCl2		127.912		Blue
Lead(II) nitrate	Pb(NO3)2		60.095		Yellow
Lead(IV) acetate	Pb(C2H3O2)4		212.996		Blue
Linseed oil	—	—			Red		May be found at hardware or art supply stores as paint binder or finish for wood. Note: “boiled linseed oil” contains Lead Oxide.
Lithium	Li	—			Blue		Can be extracted from Lithium batteries.
Lithium chloride	LiCl		80.912	0-30%(20°C)
Magnesium (chips)	Mg	Fire starter			Red		Found at camping stores as a fire starter.
Magnesium carbonate	MgCO3	Athlete’s chalk			Green		Found at sporting good stores as as a powder for gymnastics, weightlifting, and climbing to help keep hands dry (may be combined with calcium carbonate). May be found at drug store as antacid (some are pure magnesium carbonate).
Magnesium chloride	MgCl2	Nigari or Lushui	36.461	0-30% (20°C)	Green
Magnesium hydroxide	Mg(OH)2	Milk of Magnesia			Green		Found at drug store as Milk of Magnesia
Magnesium nitrate	Mg(NO3)2		128.260		Yellow
Magnesium silicate	Mg3Si4O10(OH)2	Talc					Found at drug store as Talcum powder.
Magnesium sulfate	MgSO4	Epsom Salt	142.042	0-26% (20°C)	Green	36	Found at drug store as epsom salt or at photography store  as a chemical for photographic development.
Maleic acid	C4H4O4		74.122	0-40%(25°C)	Green
Malonic acid	C3H4O4		88.105	0-40%(20°C)	Green
Maltose	C12H22O11		194.120	0-60%(20°C)	Green
Manganese dioxide	MnO2	Pyrolusite			Green		Found at hardware store black powder.
Manganese(II) chloride	MnCl2		27.025		Green
Manganese(II) sulfate	MnSO4		78.045	0-30%(20°C)	Green
Mannitol	C6H14O6		65.74	0-15%(20°C)	Red
Mercury	Hg	quicksilver			Blue		Hazardous and difficult to find. May be found at hobby stores as quicksilver. Can be extracted from old mercury thermostats.
Mercury(II) chloride	HgCl2		20.006
Mercury(II) nitrate	Hg(NO3)2		226.268
Mercury(II) sulfate	HgSO4		126.043
Methane	CH4	Natural Gas			Red		May be extracted from cow farts if you have a long stick, a tight-wound clothespin, and the stomach for it.
Methanol	CH3OH	Methyl Alcohol	294.185	0-100% (15°C)	Red		Found at paint supply stores as a solvent under the names “wood alcohol” or “methyl alcohol” or at auto supply stores as a gasoline line anti-freeze.
Methyl acetate	C3H6)2		28.079	0-20%(20°C)	Red
Methyl ethyl ketone	CH3COC2H5	MEK			Red		Found at hardware stores.
Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide	C8H16O4	MEKP			Red		Found at hardware and boating supply stores in a dilute solution as a catalyst for the polymerization of polyester resins.
Methyl isobutyl ketone	CH3COCH2CH(CH3)2	MIBK			Red		Found at hardware stores.
Methylene blue	C16H18ClN3S	Methidote			Green		Found at pet stores as a medicine to treat small injured fish.
Methylene chloride	CH2Cl2	dichloromethane			Blue		Found at up to 74% solutions in hardware, auto supply, and some craft stores as a solvent, degreaser and adhesive remover (e.g. Champion Paint Off, Klean Strip Graffiti Remover).
Methyl salicylate	C6H4(OH)COOCH3	Oil of Wintergreen			Green		Found at drug stores.
Mineral oil	complex mixture of hydrocarbons	—			Green		Found at drug stores as an emollient or in some baby oils (likely contains fragrances).
Monosodium glutamate	C5H8NO4Na	“MSG”					Found at Chinese or Japanese grocery stores as a condiment or at grocery stores as a “flavor enhancer”.
Naphthalene	C10H8	moth balls			Red		Found at hardware and grocery stores.
Nickel	Ni	—			Blue		Found at welding supply stores as a welding filler material or in pre-1985 Canadian nickels.
Nickel chloride	NiCl2		34.015	0-30%(18°C)	Blue
Nickel nitrate	Ni(NO3)2		97.181	0-35%(20°C)	Yellow
Nickel sulfate	NiSO4		194.050	0-18%(18°C)	Blue
Nicotine	C10H14N2		136.086	0-60%(20°C)	Blue
Nitric acid	HNO3		236.421	0-100%(20°C)	Yellow
Nitrogen	N2	liquid nitrogen			Red		Found at hospital, laboratory, university, welding supply house, and industrial gas suppliers.
Nitrous oxide	N2O	whipping gas, laughing gas			Red		Found at grocery store whipped cream canisters or restaurant supply houses.
Oxalic acid	C2H2O4	rust remover, non-chlorine bleach powder cleanser	208.474	0-10% (17.5°C)	White		Found at hardware stores as radiator cleaner, “wood bleach powder”, rust remover, and as “Prestone Heavy Duty Cooling System Cleaner” (98%).
Oxygen	O2	—			Red		Found at welding shops and some hardware stores in portable welding oxygen tanks. Can be generated in small quantities from the electrolysis of water.
Para-dichlorobenzene	C6H4Cl2	moth flakes, moth crystals					Found at hardware and grocery stores.
Paraffin	CnH2n+2 (n>19)	—			Green		Found at grocery stores as a sealant for home canning and at art supply stores as “wax” for candles.
Perchloric acid	HCIO4		110.984		0-28%(15°C)
Phenol	C6H5OH	—	151.001	0-5% (15°C)	Red Stripe
Phenolphthalein	C20H14O4	—			Green	36	Found at magic shops as a pinkish disappearing ink. Get I before it’s gone!
Phenol	C6H6O		151.001	0-5%(15°/C)	Red
Phenol red	C19H19SO5	phenolsulfonephthalein			Red	24	Found at swimming pool supply stores as a pH tester.
Phosphoric acid	H3PO4	pH Down	261.337	0-100% (20°C)	White		Found at pets stores as pH reducers in dilute solutions (30%). Found at hardware stores as rust remover or “Naval Jelly”. Found at hobby stores as solder flux.
Polystyrene	—	casting resin					Found at hobby shops.
Polyurethane foam	—	Mountains in Minutes					Found at hobby shops, hardware, or stores.
Potassium aluminum sulfate	KAl(SO4)2	Alum, aluminum potassium sulfate					Found at natural health stores as a “deodorant stone”.
Potassium bicarbonate	KHCO3		3105.180	0-24%(15°C)	Green
Potassium bitartrate	KHC4H4O6	Cream of Tartar			Green		Found at grocery stores as Cream of Tartar.
Potassium bromate	KBrO3		99.994		yellow
Potassium bromide	KBr	—	1105.92	0-40% (20°C)	Green		Found at photography stores.
Potassium carbonate	K2CO3	Potash	187.556	0-50% (20°C)	Green		Found at some  garden supply and agricultural stores.
Potassium chlorate	KCIO3		336.206	0-4%(20°C)	Yellow
Potassium chloride	KCl	Salt substitute	175.911	0-24% (20°C)	Green		Found at grocery stores as a salt substitute and as a road de-icer.
Potassium chromate	K2Cr04		342.296	0-30%(18°C)	Blue	36
Potassium cyanide	KCN		128.942		Blue
Potassium chromium sulfate	KCr(SO4)2	potassium chrome alum					Found at photography stores.
Potassium dichromate	K2Cr2O7	—	331.210	0-10% (20°C)	Yellow		Found at photography stores.
Potassium iron (ii) hexacyanoferrate(iii)	KFe[Fe(CN)6]	potassium iron ferricyanide, potassium ferroferricyanide					Found at grocery stores as Mrs. Stewart’s liquid (to whiten clothes).
Potassium hydrogen phosphate	K2HPO4		63.013	0-8%(20°C)
Potassium hydroxide	KOH	Caustic potash	100.115	0-50% (15°C)	Red (concentrated)		Difficult to find. May be the active ingredient in some drain cleaning solutions.May be found at veterinary supply houses for dissolving hair and horns in animals.
Potassium iodate	KIO3		119.002		Yellow
Potassium iodide	KI	Radiation Pills	138.206	0-55% (20°C)	Green	24	Found at outdoor stores as a pill form to avoid the uptake of radioactive iodine during a nuclear accident.
Potassium metabisulfite	K2S3O5	Campden tablets					May be found at stores that cater to winemaking and brewing processes.
Potassium nitrate	KNO3	Saltpeter, saltpetre	60.095	0-24% (20°C)	Yellow		Found at grocery store as saltpeter or quick salt (to cure corned beef). Found at gardening stores as fertilizer, tree stump remover, and root killer.
Potassium nitrite	KNO2		311.799		Yellow
Potassium permanganate	KMnO4	Clearwater	105.988	0-6% (20°C)	Yellow		May be found at aquarium stores in 50% solution called Clearwater or in hardware stores in 98% solution for treatment of hard well water (acts as a softener).
Potassium sulfate	K2SO4		128.108	0-10%(20°C)	Green
Potassium sulfide	K2S		110.262		Red		May ignite on contact with air.
Potassium sulfite	K2SO3		82.079	0-26%(15°C)
Potassium sodium tartrate	NaKC4H4O6	Rochelle salt			Green		Found at drug stores.
Propane	C3H8	—			Red		Found at picnic supply stores as barbeque fuel.
Propanol (propan-2-ol)	CH3CHOHCH3	rubbing alcohol	228.065	0-100% (20°C)	Red		Found at drug stores as rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) in a fairly concentrate form.
Silicon carbide	SiC	Carborundum					Found at industrial supply houses as a hard, abrasive powder for use in sandblasting.
Silicon dioxide	SiO2	Sand, silica					Found at building supply and aquarium stores as quartz sand. Found at hobby shops as mold making material or filler for rubbers and plastics under the name Min-u-Sil brand.  Found in silica desiccant packets found in many sealed food envelopes, electronics boxes, and other packaging.
Silver (dust)	Ag	—			Blue		Found at gold and silver coin shops as silver coins (74%) and bullion, often at bullion value.
Silver nitrate	AgNO3		120.176	0-40%(20°C)	Yellow	24
Silver sulfate	Ag2SO4		141.959		Green
Sodium acetate	NaC2H3O2	Hand Warmer	342.151	0-28% (20°C)	Green		Found at sporting goods stores in hand-warmers. Can also be made through the reaction of baking soda and vinegar.
Sodium borate	Na2B4O7	—			Green		Found at grocery stores in diluted solution of Borax. Can be made pure by heating to 200C (note: it will begin absorbing moisture when cooled if left in open).
Sodium bicarbonate	NaHCO3	Baking Soda, Bicarbonate of Soda			Green	24	Found at grocery store as “single action baking soda”. Note: there’s a difference in baking soda and baking powder.  Baking powder has other ingredients.  Also, Double action baking powder contains corn starch.
Sodium bisulfate	NaHSO4	pH Down			Green		Found at pool supply store as Crystal Vanish drain cleaner.
Sodium bromide	NaBr	Hot Tub Salt			Green		Found at pool supply stores.
Sodium carbonate	Na2CO3	Washing soda, soda ash	90.609	0-14% (20°C)	Green		Found at grocery store as washing soda and at pool supply stores as PH Up and PH Plus (used to raise pH).  Can be made by backing Sodium Bicarbonate (backing soda) at 350 degrees.
Sodium chlorate	NaClO3	—	46.068	0-34% (18°C)	Yellow		Found at gardening and agricultural stores as a herbicide (e.g. Atlacide, Defol, Drop-Leaf, and Tumbleaf).  Check label for potential impurities.
Sodium chloride	NaCl	Salt	162.204	0-26% (20°C)	Green	24	Found at grocery store as table salt possibly with magnesium carbonate (as a anti-caking agent) and sodium iodide impurities.  Uniodized salt will generally be more pure.
Sodium chromate	Na2Cr)4		325.288	0-26%(18°C)
Sodium fluoride	NaF	—			Blue		Difficult to obtain in pure form. May be found at dental supply stores.
Sodium hexametaphosphate	(NaPO3)6	Sodium polymetaphosphate, Calgon water softener			Green		Found at grocery store as primary ingredient of Calgon water softener. Found under other names including: glassy sodium, Graham’s Salt, and hexasodium salt.
Sodium hydroxide	NaOH	Lye, Caustic Soda	167.000	0-50% (20°C)	White Stripe		Found at grocery and hardware stores as caustic soda and lye.
Sodium hypochlorite	NaClO	Bleach			Green		Found at grocery store in diluted form as household bleach (5% sodium hypochlorite).
Sodium nitrate	NaNO3	Chile saltpeter	110.111	0-45% (20°C)	Yellow		Found at garden supply stores.
Sodium nitrite	NaNO2		82.034	0-20%(15°C)	Yellow
Sodium metabisulfite	Na2S2O5	Campden tablets			Green		Found at winemaking or brewing stores as a sterilizing agent in the brewing processes. Check label for impurities.
Sodium percarbonate	2Na2CO3	sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate					May be found at hardware stores as wood bleach (for decks and outdoor wood furniture). May be labeled “oxygenated bleach”.
Sodium phosphate	Na3PO4	Tri Sodium Phosphate	324.600	0-8% (20°C)	Green		Found at hardware stores as Tri-sodium phosphate, commonly known as TSP (used to clean walls prior to painting).
Disodium phosphate	Na2HPO4	pH Down			Green		Found at pet stores and used to lower the pH of aquarium water.
Sodium silicate	Na2SiO3, Na2Si3O7	water glass, egg preserver, magic rocks			Green		May be found at hardware stores, drug and ceramic stpres as a flocculent in clay slip casting.
Sodium sulfate	Na2SO4	—	211.630	0-24% (20°C)	Green		May be found at photography stores.
Sodium sulfide	Na2S		76.121	0-18%(18°C)	Red Stripe
Sodium sulfite	Na2SO3	—	150.087	0-18% (19°C)	Green		May be found at photography stores.
Sodium tetraborate decahydrate	Na2B4O710H2O	Borax			Green		May be found at drug store as Borax (e.g. Twenty-Mule-Team Borax Laundry Booster).
Sodium thiosulfate	Na2S2O3	Hypo	89.093	0-40% (20°C)	Green	18	Found at photography stores and pet shops as a de-chlorination additive to fish water.
Stearic acid	C17H35CO2H	candle hardener			Green		May be found in arts and crafts stores.
Strontium chloride	SrCl2		74.122	0-36%(20°C)	Green
Strontium nitrate	Sr(NO3)2		342.296		Yellow
Strontium sulfate	SrSO4		183.683
Steel	Fe alloyed with C and depending on type, possibly also Ni, B, V, Cr among others	Galvanised wire, nail (fasteners), stainless steel, ball bearings, steel wool					Pure steel is difficult to find and carbon content will vary widely.  Many impurities including nickel, silicon, boron, zinc, etc. May have to make do with galvanized or stainless steel materials such as nails, screws, tools, steel wool, bearings, steel wire, etc.
Sucrose	C12H22O11	Sugar			Green		Found at grocer store as table sugar.
Sulfur (sulphur)	S	—			Green		May be found at garden stores as “flowers of sulfur” (to treat plant diseases) or as “Organic Garden sulfur”. May be found at drug stores.
Sulfuric acid	H2SO4	vitriol, oil of vitriol	74.093	0-100% (20°C)	White	24	Found at hardware stores as battery acid, at plumbing supply stores as a buffered solution (e.g. “Pro Liquid Drain Cleaner”) or at a pet supply store as a diluted solution used to lower pH in aquariums.
Sulfurous acid	H2SO3		128.088
Tannic acid	C76H52O46	tannin			Blue		Found in arts and crafts stores in dyes and fabric section.
Tartaric acid	C4H6O6	wine preservative	136.141	0-56% (15°C)	Green		May be found at wine-making supply stores.
Tetrachloroethylene	C2Cl4	tetrachloroethene			Blue		May be found at hardware, auto supply, and home improvement stores in aerosol form under brands such as “Lectra Motive Auto Care” and “Gummout Professional Brake Parts Cleaner” (99% pure).
Thymolphthalein	C28H30O4	disappearing ink			Green		Found at magic supply stores as blue disappearing ink. Get it before it’s gone!
Tin(II) chloride	SnCl2		241.860	0-65%(15°C)
Tin(IV) chloride	SnCl4		399.878	0-28%(15°C)
Titanium dioxide	TiO2	Titanium White					Found at art supply stores as a fine powder for use as a pure white pigment.
1,1,1 trichloroethane	CCl3CH3	cleaning fluid, degreaser			Green		Found at hardware stores.
1,1,1,2 tetrafluoroethane	CF3CH2F	—			Green
Thiourea	CS(NH2)2	Thiocarbamide			Blue		Found in hardware stores as silver cleaning products such as Hagerty and Tarn-X. Check label for potential inactive ingredients (impurities).
Toluene	C6H5CH3	Methylbenzene, cellulose thinner			Red		Found at hardware stores as a solvent.
Town gas	A mixture mainly consists of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane	Nil.					Found in urban area. Carbon monoxide can be removed from the mixture by passing the gas through large quantity of citrated chicken blood while chanting voodoo prayers.
Trichloroethylene	CHClCCl2	trichloroethene			Blue		Found at hardware and auto supply stores as a near pure aerosol under brand names such “Lectra Clean” and “Trouble Free Rust Buster”.
Tungsten	W	—			Green		Found at welding supply stores as TIG electrodes. Also found in most incandescent light bulbs (the filament is made of tungsten).
Turpentine	—	—			Red		Found at hardware stores and fine art supply stores.
Urea	H2NCONH2	ice melter, fertilizer, carbamide	189.374	0-46% (20°C)	Green		May be found at  hardware stores and at garden supply stores as “Bonide Azalea” fertilizer (99% urea).
Water	H2O	—			Green		Found at grocery stores as distilled (pure) water. This and “deionized” water are sufficient for most chemical reactions.
Xylene	C8H10	dimethylbenzene			Red		Found at hardware stores, paint stores, and fine art supply stores.
Zinc (powder)	Zn	zinc			Red Stripe
Zinc bromide	ZnBr2		154.996	0-65%(20°C)
Zinc chloride	ZnClf	Tinner’s Fluid, “killed acid”	74.078	0-28% (20°C)	White		Found at hardware stores for cleaning copper. Can be created by dissolving a small amount of zinc in hydrochloric acid.
Zinc nitrate	Zn(NO3)2		165.873	0-50% (18°C)	White
Zinc oxide	ZnO	pompholyx			Green		Found at fine arts stores as “Chinese White” fine arts pigment.
Zinc sulfate	ZnSO4	zinc sulfate	98.078	0-16% (20°C)	Green		Found at hardware and garden stores as “Moss Killer” for use on roofs and concrete.

Safety warning

Remember, carefully label your chemicals and store according to color code!  The Hazard Diamond (see below) can also be used to easily identify chemical properties on stored chemicals.

Image Credits

In-Article Image Credits

Chemicals in flasks (including Ammonium hydroxide and Nitric acid) lit in different colors via Wikimedia Commons by Joe Sullivan with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 6, 2006

Featured Image Credit

Chemicals in flasks (including Ammonium hydroxide and Nitric acid) lit in different colors via Wikimedia Commons by Joe Sullivan with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 6, 2006