L’American Chemical Society has a division called Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS). The latter associates chemical substances with a unique registration number. It consists of up to ten digits, grouped in three categories and separated by dashes.
This CAS number has many interests. First, it allows you to quickly find a product by typing this number on a search interface. Secondly, it can also make it easier to find a product on the websites of authorized distributors. Finally, it groups all existing names (synonyms) for the same product.
Take imidazole as an example. Its CAS number is 288-32-4. This one refers to the synonyms: 1,3-Diaza-2,4-cyclopentadiene and Glyoxaline.
