What is a chemical compound? Compounds are substances that are two or more elements combined together chemically in a standard proportion by weight. Compounds are all around us - they include familiar things, such as water, and more esoteric substances, such as triuranium octaoxide, the most commonly occurring natural source for uranium. This reference guide provides a tour of 100 of the most important compounds known to science. Each entry gives an extensive explanation of the composition, molecular formula, and chemical properties of the compound. In addition, each entry reviews the relevant chemistry, history, and uses of the compound, with discussions of the origin of the compound's name, the discovery or first synthesis of the compound, production statistics, and uses of the compound. "The 100 Most Important Chemical Compounds" provides readers not only with the understanding of the chemistry of these substances and the practical uses of these compounds, but also includes numerous interesting stories and historical details about them, from the disgruntled family doctor whose pleas to do medical research led to the use of insulin to treat diabetes, to the Dupont scientists who accidentally produced a white waxy substance now known as Teflon. This reference guide includes a glossary, a guide to further reading, and numerous chemical illustrations to help illuminate the text.