📖 Overview
Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary serves as a comprehensive reference guide for chemistry-related terminology and substances. This reference work contains over 25,000 entries covering chemical compounds, processes, equipment, and industry-specific vocabulary.
The dictionary provides detailed information including molecular formulas, chemical structures, physical properties, industrial applications, and safety considerations for each entry. Technical data is presented alongside regulatory information and common trade names used in commercial settings.
The work continues to evolve through updated editions to reflect current chemical knowledge and industry practices. Its contents bridge pure chemistry with industrial applications, making it valuable for both academic researchers and chemical industry professionals.
The dictionary represents a systematic effort to standardize and clarify chemical terminology while documenting the relationship between theoretical chemistry and its practical applications.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this as a go-to reference for chemical terminology and quick facts across industry and academia. Laboratory technicians and chemists cite its utility for looking up chemical properties, CAS numbers, and trade names.
What readers liked:
- Clear, concise definitions
- Inclusion of trade names and common industry terms
- Regular updates with new chemical compounds
- Portable size compared to other chemical references
What readers disliked:
- Small font size that can be hard to read
- Some outdated information in older editions
- Missing some newer compounds
- High price point for students
Ratings:
Amazon: 4.6/5 (89 reviews)
Goodreads: 4.3/5 (17 ratings)
One chemist noted: "I've used this daily for 15 years - it's the first place I look for quick chemical information." A lab manager criticized: "The 16th edition still lists some compounds by old naming conventions that aren't used anymore."
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🤔 Interesting facts
🔬 First published in 1919, this dictionary has been continuously updated for over 100 years, making it one of the longest-running chemistry reference works in publication.
⚗️ The dictionary includes more than 4,000 entries covering everything from industrial chemicals to laboratory reagents, with specific details about their commercial uses and safety data.
🏭 Many entries include the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Numbers, which serve as unique identifiers for chemical substances and are crucial for industrial and research applications.
📚 Despite its name "Condensed," the 16th edition contains over 1,400 pages of detailed chemical information, making it a comprehensive resource for both students and professionals.
🧪 The book was originally compiled by Irving D. Hawley, a chemical engineer, but has been maintained and updated by various editors throughout its history, with Richard J. Lewis Sr. taking over editorial duties from the 12th edition onward.