Chemical Structures Beginning With the Letter C

By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Updated November 05, 2019

 This is a collection of chemical structures with names beginning with the letter C.

01
of 20

Caffeine Chemical Structure

Caffeine molecule
PASIEKA / Getty Images

The molecular formula of caffeine is C8H10N4O2.

Molecular Mass: 194.08 Daltons

Systematic Name: 1,3,7-Trimethyl-3,7-dihydro-1H-purine-2,6-dione

Other Names: caffeine, trimethylxanthine

02
of 20

Carbon Dioxide Molecule

This is the chemical structure of carbon dioxide.
This is the chemical structure of carbon dioxide. Science Photo Library / Getty Images

This is the chemical structure of carbon dioxide.

Molecular Formula: CO2

03
of 20

Carbon Disulfide Molecule

Carbon disulfide molecule.
Carbon disulfide molecule. Laguna Design / Getty Images

 This is the chemical structure of carbon disulfide or CS2

04
of 20

Carboxylic Acid

This is the chemical structure of the carboxylic acid functional group.
This is the chemical structure of the carboxylic acid functional group. Todd Helmenstine

The molecular formula for carboxylic acid is R-COOH.

05
of 20

Cannabinol

This is the chemical structure of cannabinol.
This is the chemical structure of cannabinol. Cacycle/PD
06
of 20

Capsaicin

Capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) is the molecule in chili peppers that makes them hot.
Capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) is the molecule in chili peppers that makes them hot. Cacycle, wikipedia.org
07
of 20

Carbolic Acid (Phenol)

This is the chemical structure of phenol.
This is the chemical structure of phenol. Todd Helmenstine
08
of 20

Carbon Monoxide

This is the molecular structure for carbon monoxide or CO.
This is the molecular structure for carbon monoxide or CO. Ben Mills
09
of 20

Carotene

This is the chemical structure of beta-carotene.
This is the chemical structure of beta-carotene. Todd Helmenstine
10
of 20

Cellulose

Cellulose
Skeletal diagram of cellulose, a polysaccharide consisting of linked glucose subunits. David Richfield
11
of 20

Chloroform

Chloroform molecule
Chloroform molecule. LAGUNA DESIGN / Getty Images
12
of 20

Chloromethane

This is the chemical structure of dichloromethane or methylene chloride.
This is the chemical structure of dichloromethane or methylene chloride. Yikrazuul
13
of 20

Chlorophyll

This is the chemical structure of chlorophyll.
This is the chemical structure of chlorophyll. Todd Helmenstine
14
of 20

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a lipid that is found in the cell membranes of all animal cells.
Cholesterol is a lipid that is found in the cell membranes of all animal cells. It also is a sterol, which is a steroid characterized by an alcohol group. Sbrools, wikipedia.org
15
of 20

Citric Acid

Citric acid is also known as 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid.
Citric acid is also known as 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid. It is a weak acid found in citrus fruits and used as a natural preservative and to impart a sour flavoring. NEUROtiker, Wikipedia Commons
16
of 20

Cocaine

This is the chemical structure of cocaine, also known as benzoylmethylecgonine.
This is the chemical structure of cocaine, also known as benzoylmethylecgonine. NEUROtiker/PD
17
of 20

Cortisol

Cortisol
Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland. It sometimes is referred to as the "stress hormone" as it is produced in response to stress. Calvero, wikipedia commons
18
of 20

Cream of Tartar

This is the chemical structure for cream of tartar or potassium bitartrate.
This is the chemical structure for cream of tartar or potassium bitartrate. Jü, Public Domain
19
of 20

Cyanide

Hydrogen cyanide is a colorless, volatile, poisonous liquid with the chemical formula HCN.
Hydrogen cyanide is a colorless, volatile, poisonous liquid with the chemical formula HCN. Ben Mills
20
of 20

Cyclohexane

This is the chemical structure of cyclohexane.
This is the chemical structure of cyclohexane. Todd Helmenstine