The chemical breakdown & Chemistry in its element

Adrenaline: Chemistry in its element 29.07.2015 6:38 ↓

Simon Cotton on the compound that turns a shrinking violet into a hero: Adrenaline

Polydimethylsiloxane: Chemistry in its element 22.07.2015 6:12 ↓

Brian Clegg tells us about a silicone gel, which can sometimes be a bit silly

Carminic acid: Chemistry in its element 17.07.2015 5:58 ↓

Raychelle Burks introduces a red dye with a prickly history.

Citric acid: Chemistry in its element 08.07.2015 5:19 ↓

If life hands you lemons, make lemonade – or you could make citric acid, a very useful commodity chemical according to Andrew Turley

Sodium sulfate: Chemistry in its element 01.07.2015 5:40 ↓

Brian Clegg on sodium sulfate, known as 'the miraculous salt' because of its strong laxative effects.

Methanol: Chemistry in its element 24.06.2015 5:45 ↓

Tempted by a tipple of home-brewed moonshine? Andrew Turley examines the risks associated with drinking methanol.

Cortisol & Hydrocortisone: Chemistry in its element 16.06.2015 5:52 ↓

Brian Clegg investigates a compound that calms inflamed joints and excites the stressed brain: Cortisol

Parabens: Chemistry in its element 10.06.2015 6:19 ↓

Ben Valsler examines the chemicals at the heart of one of the latest cosmetic & food additive scare stories: Parabens

Phosgene: Chemistry in its element 03.06.2015 6:10 ↓

Matt Gunther investigates a clear, colourless gas responsible for thousands of deaths in the Great War: Phosgene

Calcium hydroxide: Chemistry in its element 27.05.2015 6:16 ↓

It rendered walls of pyramids and helps remove unwanted hair - Brian Clegg introduces a compound with many names - Calcium hydroxide

Nacre: Chemistry in its element 20.05.2015 5:24 ↓

From a glamorous necklace to cutting edge body armour - Helen Scales investigates the properties of nacre

Hyaluronic acid: Chemistry in its element 13.05.2015 6:19 ↓

Brian Clegg smooths out the wrinkles over the darling of the cosmetic industry, hyaluronic acid

Mussel adhesive proteins: Chemistry in its element 06.05.2015 5:25 ↓

How do mussels stick tight and weather the constant ocean waves? Helen Scales discovers mussel adhesive proteins

Acetylene: Chemistry in its element 29.04.2015 6:36 ↓

Brian Clegg introduces a compound steeped in faded Victorian glamour – acetylene

CS gas: Chemistry in its element 22.04.2015 6:14 ↓

Simon Cotton examines a compound banned in warfare but still used by police to disperse crowds: CS gas

Goethite: Chemistry in its element 16.04.2015 5:15 ↓

It's the strongest known biological material and one of the earliest pigments - Helen Scales discovers goethite

Niacin: Chemistry in its element 08.04.2015 6:30 ↓

Brian Clegg discusses the vitamin found in both breakfast cereal and meteorites: Niacin

Octane: Chemistry in its element 01.04.2015 7:16 ↓

Start your engines! Simon Cotton looks into one of the few chemical names known well to the public: Octane

Fluorides: Chemistry in its element 25.03.2015 7:03 ↓

Sensible approach to dental rot or sinister communist plot? Brian Clegg examines the much-maligned fluorides

Prozac: Chemistry in its element 18.03.2015 6:51 ↓

Simon Cotton introduces the first of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants: Prozac

Sodium thiopental: Chemistry in its element 11.03.2015 6:06 ↓

Once thought to extract the truth and now used to enact the ultimate punishment, this week's compound is sodium thiopental

Barbituric acid: Chemistry in its element 04.03.2015 8:16 ↓

It may have been largely superceded in the clinic but Phil Robinson discovers there is no rest yet for barbituric acid

RNA: Chemistry in its element 25.02.2015 5:03 ↓

RNA may be less famous than it's more stable cousin, but is central to cellular function

Hydrofluoric acid : Chemistry in its element 18.02.2015 5:34 ↓

Breaking Bad may have exaggerated its body-dissolving effects, but Katrina Krämer finds the truth about hydrofluoric acid is just as gruesome

Borax: Chemistry in its element 11.02.2015 5:30 ↓

From lemon-fresh detergent to home made silly putty, Jenna Bilbrey expounds the virtues of borax