The 100 essential molecules for building extraterrestrial civilization. Each module defines the production pattern adapted for Moon and Mars environments.
Molecules
| Molecule | Formula | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Acetaldehyde | CH₃CHO | Intermediate for acetic acid, pyridines, and plasticizers |
| Acetic Acid | CH₃COOH | Fundamental organic acid for vinyl acetate and acetate esters |
| Acetone | (CH₃)₂CO | Universal solvent and precursor to PMMA and bisphenol A |
| Acrolein | CH₂=CHCHO | Intermediate for acrylic acid and methionine |
| Acrylic Acid | CH₂=CHCOOH | Monomer for superabsorbent polymers and acrylate esters |
| Acrylonitrile | CH₂=CHCN | Monomer for acrylic fibers, ABS, and nitrile rubber |
| Adipic Acid | HOOC(CH₂)₄COOH | Monomer for nylon 6,6 and polyurethanes |
| Aluminum Oxide | Al₂O₃ | Abrasive, refractory, and aluminum production intermediate |
| Ammonia | NH₃ | Fertilizers, nitrogen chemistry |
| Ammonium Nitrate | NH₄NO₃ | Fertilizer and industrial explosive |
| Ammonium Sulfate | (NH₄)₂SO₄ | Nitrogen-sulfur fertilizer |
| Aniline | C₆H₅NH₂ | Precursor to polyurethanes, dyes, and rubber chemicals |
| Benzene | C₆H₆ | Fundamental aromatic compound, precursor to plastics, resins, and fibers |
| Bisphenol A | (CH₃)₂C(C₆H₄OH)₂ | Monomer for polycarbonate and epoxy resins |
| Butadiene | C₄H₆ | Key monomer for synthetic rubber production |
| Butanol | C₄H₉OH | Solvent and plasticizer alcohol |
| Butyl Acetate | CH₃COO(CH₂)₃CH₃ | Solvent for lacquers and coatings |
| Calcium Chloride | CaCl₂ | Desiccant and de-icing agent |
| Calcium Hydroxide | Ca(OH)₂ | Slaked lime for construction and water treatment |
| Calcium Oxide | CaO | Quickite for cement, steelmaking, and chemical processes |
| Caprolactam | (CH₂)₅C(O)NH | Monomer for nylon 6 polyamide |
| Carbon Black | C (amorphous carbon) | Reinforcing filler and pigment |
| Carbon Monoxide | CO | Syngas component and carbonylation reagent |
| Chlorine | Cl₂ | Disinfectant and key reagent for chlorinated compounds |
| Copper Sulfate | CuSO₄·5H₂O (pentahydrate) | Fungicide and electroplating electrolyte |
| Cumene | C₆H₅CH(CH₃)₂ | Intermediate for phenol and acetone production |
| Cyclohexane | C₆H₁₂ | Intermediate for nylon production |
| Cyclohexanone | C₆H₁₀O | Intermediate for caprolactam and adipic acid |
| Diethanolamine | (HOCH₂CH₂)₂NH | Gas treating and personal care ingredient |
| Diethyl Ether | C₂H₅OC₂H₅ | Solvent and extraction medium |
| Dimethyl Ether | CH₃OCH₃ | Clean fuel and aerosol propellant |
| Epichlorohydrin | C₃H₅ClO | Precursor for epoxy resins and glycerol |
| Epoxy Resin | Variable (prepolymer) | Thermosetting polymer for adhesives, coatings, and composites |
| Ethanol | C₂H₅OH | Solvent, fuel, and chemical intermediate |
| Ethyl Acetate | CH₃COOC₂H₅ | Common solvent for coatings, inks, and adhesives |
| Ethylbenzene | C₆H₅C₂H₅ | Intermediate for styrene production |
| Ethylene | C₂H₄ | Core olefin building block |
| Ethylene Glycol | HOCH₂CH₂OH | Antifreeze, polyester intermediate, and heat transfer fluid |
| Ethylene Oxide | C₂H₄O | Highly reactive intermediate for glycols and surfactants |
| Ferric Chloride | FeCl₃ | Water treatment and PCB etching |
| Formaldehyde | CH₂O (HCHO) | Key building block for resins, plastics, and disinfectants |
| Formic Acid | HCOOH | Preservative, leather tanning, and hydrogen carrier |
| Glycerol | HOCH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH | Humectant, sweetener, and chemical intermediate |
| Hexamethylenediamine | H₂N(CH₂)₆NH₂ | Co-monomer for nylon 6,6 |
| Hydrazine | N₂H₄ | Rocket propellant and reducing agent |
| Hydrochloric Acid | HCl | Fundamental acid for metal processing and chemical synthesis |
| Hydrogen Cyanide | HCN | Precursor to acrylics, nylon, and specialty chemicals |
| Hydrogen Fluoride | HF | Fluorinating agent and catalyst |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | H₂O₂ | Oxidizer, bleach, and propellant |
| Isopropanol | C₃H₇OH ((CH₃)₂CHOH) | Industrial solvent and disinfectant |
| Magnesium Oxide | MgO | Refractory and pharmaceutical antacid |
| Maleic Anhydride | C₂H₂(CO)₂O | Intermediate for unsaturated polyester resins and chemicals |
| Mdi | C₁₅H₁₀N₂O₂ | Precursor for rigid polyurethane foam and elastomers |
| Melamine | C₃N₃(NH₂)₃ | Resin precursor for laminates and adhesives |
| Methanol | CH₃OH | Solvent, fuel, precursor |
| Methyl Chloride | CH₃Cl | Intermediate for silicones and quaternary ammonium compounds |
| Methyl Methacrylate | CH₂=C(CH₃)COOCH₃ | Monomer for PMMA (acrylic glass, Plexiglas) |
| Monoethanolamine | HOCH₂CH₂NH₂ | Gas sweetening and surfactant intermediate |
| Nitric Acid | HNO₃ | Essential for fertilizers, explosives, and metal processing |
| Nitrobenzene | C₆H₅NO₂ | Intermediate for aniline production |
| Nylon 6 | [NH(CH₂)₅CO]ₙ | Engineering polyamide for fibers and plastics |
| Nylon 66 | [NH(CH₂)₆NHCO(CH₂)₄CO]ₙ | High-performance polyamide for engineering applications |
| Phenol | C₆H₅OH | Precursor to resins, bisphenol A, and pharmaceuticals |
| Phosgene | COCl₂ | Carbonylating agent for polycarbonate and isocyanates |
| Phosphoric Acid | H₃PO₄ | Fertilizer production and food-grade acidulant |
| Phthalic Anhydride | C₆H₄(CO)₂O | Precursor for plasticizers and alkyd resins |
| Pmma | [CH₂C(CH₃)(COOCH₃)]ₙ | Optical-grade transparent thermoplastic (acrylic glass) |
| Polycarbonate | [OC(O)OC₆H₄C(CH₃)₂C₆H₄]ₙ | Transparent engineering thermoplastic |
| Polydimethylsiloxane | [Si(CH₃)₂O]ₙ | High-performance polymer for sealants and lubricants |
| Polyethylene | (C₂H₄)ₙ | Construction plastic |
| Polyethylene Terephthalate | (C₁₀H₈O₄)ₙ | Polyester for bottles, fibers, and films |
| Polypropylene | (C₃H₆)ₙ | Versatile thermoplastic for packaging, textiles, and automotive |
| Polystyrene | (C₈H₈)ₙ | Lightweight plastic for packaging, insulation, and consumer goods |
| Polyurethane | Variable (urethane linkage: -NHCOO-) | Versatile polymer for foams, elastomers, and coatings |
| Polyvinyl Chloride | (CH₂CHCl)ₙ | Third most-produced plastic for construction and packaging |
| Potassium Hydroxide | KOH | Caustic alkali for batteries and soap |
| Propylene | C₃H₆ | Second most important olefin, precursor to polypropylene and acrylics |
| Propylene Glycol | CH₃CH(OH)CH₂OH | Antifreeze, food additive, and pharmaceutical solvent |
| Propylene Oxide | C₃H₆O | Intermediate for polyurethanes and propylene glycol |
| Ptfe | (C₂F₄)ₙ | Non-stick coating and high-performance polymer |
| Silicon Dioxide | SiO₂ | Glass, semiconductor, and filler material |
| Silicone | [R₂SiO]ₙ (typically R = CH₃) | Heat-resistant polymer for sealants, lubricants, and medical devices |
| Sodium Carbonate | Na₂CO₃ | Alkali for glass, detergents, and chemicals |
| Sodium Chloride | NaCl | Feedstock for chlor-alkali and chemical processes |
| Sodium Hydroxide | NaOH | Caustic alkali for countless industrial processes |
| Sodium Hypochlorite | NaOCl | Disinfectant and bleaching agent |
| Sodium Silicate | Na₂SiO₃ (varies with ratio) | Water glass for adhesives, binders, and detergents |
| Sodium Sulfate | Na₂SO₄ | Detergent filler and glass flux |
| Styrene | C₈H₈ (C₆H₅CH=CH₂) | Monomer for polystyrene and styrenic copolymers |
| Sulfuric Acid | H₂SO₄ | Ore processing, synthesis |
| Synthetic Rubber Sbr | Copolymer of C₈H₈ and C₄H₆ | General-purpose rubber for tires and mechanical goods |
| Terephthalic Acid | C₆H₄(COOH)₂ | Key monomer for PET polyester fibers and bottles |
| Titanium Dioxide | TiO₂ | White pigment and photocatalyst |
| Toluene | C₇H₈ (C₆H₅CH₃) | Solvent and precursor to TNT, polyurethanes, and other chemicals |
| Toluene Diisocyanate | C₉H₆N₂O₂ | Precursor for flexible polyurethane foam |
| Urea | (NH₂)₂CO | Largest-volume nitrogen fertilizer and resin precursor |
| Vinyl Acetate | CH₃COOCH=CH₂ | Monomer for PVA, adhesives, and coatings |
| Vinyl Chloride | CH₂=CHCl | Monomer for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) |
| Xylene | C₈H₁₀ (C₆H₄(CH₃)₂) | Aromatic mixture (ortho, meta, para isomers) for PET and phthalates |
| Zinc Oxide | ZnO | Vulcanization activator and UV blocker |
Part of the 100chemicals Olefinverbund — an integrated chemical production network designed for extraterrestrial civilization.