The chemical breakdown & Chemistry in its element

Prodiginines: Chemistry in its element 03.08.2016 7:48 ↓

When the communion bread starts secreting blood, could this be the cause?

Taurine: Chemistry in its element 26.07.2016 5:40 ↓

Kat Arney tells us about the active ingredient in energy drinks

Picric acid: Chemistry in its element 20.07.2016 6:58 ↓

A yellow dress, of the type worn by Jane Austen, sets Michael Freemantle exploring the chemistry of picric acid

Spilanthol: Chemistry in its element 14.07.2016 5:38 ↓

It's the active molecule in the plant known as electric daisies or the toothache plant but it might also make your skin smoother

Thiomersal: Chemistry in its element 06.07.2016 5:39 ↓

Kat Arney introduces the organomercury preservative associated with the current controversy around vaccines

Ammonium carbonate: Chemistry in its element 29.06.2016 6:52 ↓

Ever taken a whiff of smelling salts? For many years, the compound that contributed the pungent pong was ammonium carbonate

Asafoetida: Chemistry in its element 22.06.2016 6:52 ↓

With a name that literally means rotten resin, asafoetida is a surprising food additive and deodorant

Methyl isocyanate: Chemistry in its element 15.06.2016 7:30 ↓

The 1984 accident at Bhopal, India, was the worst in the history of industrial chemistry. It involved a leak of methyl isocyanate

Shikimic acid: Chemistry in its element 08.06.2016 6:07 ↓

Kat Arney introduces a biologically ubiquitous compound, important in beating both infectious viruses and invasive weeds

Sucrose: Chemistry in its element 31.05.2016 6:09 ↓

The tastiest food additive there is, or the greatest threat to life in the western world?

Cordite: Chemistry in its element 25.05.2016 6:00 ↓

The Battle of Jutland was fought 100 years ago next week, on May 31st, 1916. A critical role was played by cordite

Coumarin: Chemistry in its element 18.05.2016 6:21 ↓

Michael Freemantle takes a stroll through 'Jane Austen country' to discover this week's compound: Coumarin

Tetraethyl lead: Chemistry in its element 11.05.2016 6:14 ↓

For decades, automobile fuel had a dangerous additive: Tetraethyl lead. Matt Gunther explains why a toxic compound was added to our fuel

Haloperidol: Chemistry in its element 04.05.2016 7:16 ↓

It failed as a painkiller, but Haldol rapidly became an essential medicine for schizophrenia. Raychelle Burks explains more

Cadmium telluride: Chemistry in its element 27.04.2016 7:11 ↓

It may not be the best material for solar cells but it has some distinct advantages

Hydrazine: Chemistry in its element 20.04.2016 6:36 ↓

Rowena Fletcher-Wood on the simple compound that links spandex, automobile safety and space exploration: Hydrazine

Acrylamide: Chemistry in its element 13.04.2016 6:05 ↓

Does burnt toast cause cancer? Martha Henriques explores this complex question

Uranium dioxide: Chemistry in its element 06.04.2016 6:48 ↓

This week's compound has had a glowing career in the arts and a runaway success in the energy sector

Mauveine: Chemistry in its element 30.03.2016 7:44 ↓

Michael Freemantle with a colourful account of the birth of synthetic organic chemistry

Citronellol: Chemistry in its element 23.03.2016 5:37 ↓

Emma Stoye on citronellol - her constant companion when faced with biting bugs

Fluorescein: Chemistry in its element 16.03.2016 5:22 ↓

Kat Arney discovers the compound that first coloured the Chicago river green for St Patrick's Day

Sodium hypochlorite: Chemistry in its element 09.03.2016 6:48 ↓

What do hygienic work surfaces have in common with 19th century French violins? Brian Clegg finds out.

Brominated vegetable oil: Chemistry in its element 02.03.2016 7:17 ↓

Too much cola can mess with your brain. The effects of excess brominated vegetable oil explained

Oseltamivir : Chemistry in its element 24.02.2016 6:19 ↓

Oseltamivir, or Tamiflu, stockpiling during the 2009 H1N1 epidemic highlighted significant problems with drugs trials policy

Flibanserin: Chemistry in its element 17.02.2016 6:09 ↓

Flibanserin was touted to be the female Viagra. Martha Henriques explains why it failed to live up to the hype.