The chemical breakdown & Chemistry in its element

PEDOT: Chemistry in its element 04.02.2015 6:08 ↓

Brian Clegg introduces the 'ogres' that make up transparent electronics

Grubbs catalyst: Chemistry in its element 28.01.2015 4:11 ↓

Nina Notman describes the dance of olefin metathesis, and how the tempo is set by Grubbs' catalysts

Titanium nitride: Chemistry in its element 21.01.2015 5:24 ↓

Brian Clegg explains how titanium nitride could protect artificial joints and pimp out your ride

Tungsten carbide: Chemistry in its element 14.01.2015 5:33 ↓

Matt Gunther introduces the alloy that links armour-piercing bullets and ball point pens: Tungsten carbide

Paraquat: Chemistry in its element 07.01.2015 6:36 ↓

Brian Clegg introduces a weedkiller whose name has entered public consciousness – Paraquat

Frankincense and myrrh: Chemistry in its element 24.12.2014 ↓

In this seasonal podcast, we look at the compounds found in frankincense and myrrh

Isoniazid: Chemistry in its element 17.12.2014 5:05 ↓

Nina Notman introduces isoniazid - an antibiotic key to treating tuberculosis

Aspartame: Chemistry in its element 10.12.2014 5:48 ↓

Could this be the sweetener that causes the most online panic?

Cannabicyclohexanol: Chemistry in its element 03.12.2014 5:04 ↓

Used to make synthetic cannabis, cannabicyclohexanol may be more risky than its non-synthetic counterpart

Tramadol: Chemistry in its element 26.11.2014 6:01 ↓

Simon Cotton introduces the painkiller tramadol – could this be the next banned drug in competitive cycling?

Insulin: Chemistry in its element 19.11.2014 ↓

A protein with an impressive roster of 'firsts': Anna Lewcock introduces insulin

Psilocybin & Mescaline: Chemistry in its element 12.11.2014 ↓

Simon Cotton explores our hallucinogenic horizons with psilocybin and mescaline

Selenium dioxide: Chemistry in its element 05.11.2014 5:34 ↓

It smells of 'rotting horseradish' but gives glass a magnificent red colour – Brian Clegg shines a light on selenium dioxide

Human growth hormone: Chemistry in its element 29.10.2014 5:27 ↓

Marketed as a path to eternal youth but banned in professional sports, Hayley Simon introduces human growth hormone

Magnesium chloride: Chemistry in its element 23.10.2014 5:36 ↓

It may have no common name, but as Brian Clegg explains, magnesium chloride has many common uses

Acetone peroxide: Chemistry in its element 15.10.2014 4:48 ↓

Simon Cotton takes us back to a dark day in UK history, to highlight a terrible use of acetone peroxide

MDMA: Chemistry in its element 09.10.2014 5:46 ↓

The drug that fuelled rave culture may yet be a treatment for PTSD. Hayley Simon introduces MDMA

Ethane: Chemistry in its element 02.10.2014 5:10 ↓

Why would a simple molecule used to produce plastics excite astronomers? Brian Clegg introduces ethane

Tantalum pentoxide: Chemistry in its element 24.09.2014 6:28 ↓

Lars Öhrström explains how tantalum(V)oxide banished 'the brick' and allows your mobile phone to fit in your pocket

Sodium alginate: Chemistry in its element 17.09.2014 6:00 ↓

When Brian Clegg's acid reflux strikes, he knows he can rely on help from this compound: Sodium alginate

Trimethylamine: Chemistry in its element 10.09.2014 ↓

It reeks of rotting fish but finds use in a range of applications - Jenna Bilbrey introduces trimethylamine

Phenol: Chemistry in its element 03.09.2014 6:07 ↓

Phenol, that mainstay of the chemical industry, was a familiar smell around the house in soap. Brian Clegg reveals all

Glycerol: Chemistry in its element 27.08.2014 5:49 ↓

Simon Cotton describes one of his favourite school chemistry experiments, involving this week's compound: Glycerol

Osmium tetraoxide: Chemistry in its element 20.08.2014 6:51 ↓

It's highly toxic but essential for studying detailed structures of cells. Brian Clegg introduces osmium tetraoxide

Magnesium oxide: Chemistry in its element 13.08.2014 5:20 ↓

You may have created it in a fiery flash or taken it to soothe a burning stomach. Simon Cotton on magnesium oxide