Can I create an alias or a shortcut to a file in Spotlight? I have a file named Chemical Principles the quest for insight 7e by Peter Atkins.pdf but I want it to appear on Spotlight search when I look for the keyword Chemistry textbook. 

Is that possible?
Use Tags.

Right click on the file you want
Select &quot;Tags&quot;
Type in the custom text for the tag (i.e. &quot;Chemistry Textbook&quot;)

Now, in Spotlight, execute your search by prefacing it with tag:
tag: Chemistry Textbook

As an example, I assigned a sample text file (Chemistry.txt) the tag &quot;Chemistry Textbook&quot;.  Upon doing a Spotlight search, it found it immediately.

You can find more information on how to fully use Tags from the Apple Support Document:  OS X: Tags help you organize your files