The chemical breakdown & Chemistry in its element

Acrolein: Chemistry in its element 09.02.2016 7:19 ↓

Michael Freemantle relates the history arolein, a poor tear gas with unexpected benefits

Cedrol: Chemistry in its element 03.02.2016 5:23 ↓

Raychelle Burks explains how the scent of cedar wood can be used to destroy pests

Ethidium bromide: Chemistry in its element 27.01.2016 5:13 ↓

Kat Arney shines a light on the fluorescent DNA marker

Calcium carbide: Chemistry in its element 19.01.2016 7:28 ↓

Michael Freemantle tells us of discovery that lit the homes and put the food on the table of millions of people

Ectoparasiticides: Chemistry in its element 13.01.2016 6:12 ↓

Martha Henriques explains how compounds developed to keep parasites at bay may be protecting rhinos from poachers

Taq Polymerase: Chemistry in its element 16.12.2015 5:10 ↓

Kat Arney reveals how high temperature bacteria provide us with the molecule that speeds up DNA sequencing

Ubiquitin: Chemistry in its element 09.12.2015 8:46 ↓

Kiki Sanford examines the molecule that holds the balance between life and death

Diethyl ether: Chemistry in its element 02.12.2015 6:41 ↓

Michael Freemantle awakens us to the history of diethyl ether

Manganese dioxide: Chemistry in its element 25.11.2015 6:32 ↓

Brian Clegg paints a picture of a compound found in ancient cave paintings and top-of-the-range electronics: Manganese dioxide

Mercury fulminate, Hg(CNO)₂: Chemistry in its element 18.11.2015 6:06 ↓

Michael Freemantle examines the explosive history and chemistry of mercury fulminate

Zirconium tungstate: Chemistry in its element 11.11.2015 4:22 ↓

Generally, things get bigger as they get hotter. Neil Withers examines one of the exceptions – zirconium tungstate

Toluene: Chemistry in its element 04.11.2015 5:47 ↓

There's more to toluene than TNT, as Brian Clegg reveals

Guncotton or nitrocellulose: Chemistry in its element 28.10.2015 6:02 ↓

From an apron aflame to a popular propellant, Michael Freemantle tracks the history of guncotton

Thiamine or vitamin B: Chemistry in its element 22.10.2015 6:44 ↓

Brian Clegg introduces an essential nutrient, and the first to hold the name 'vitamin': Thiamine or vitamin B

Cephalosporins: Chemistry in its element 15.10.2015 6:21 ↓

A story which starts knee-deep in sewage and ends with the spread of drug resistant infections like MRSA

Lewisite: Chemistry in its element 07.10.2015 6:27 ↓

Wouldn't it be great to have a molecule named after you? But perhaps not this week's compound, the chemical weapon lewisite

Xenon hexafluoroplatinate: Chemistry in its element 30.09.2015 5:53 ↓

Hayley Birch discovers the compound that opened up a wing of the periodic table for reactions: Xenon hexafluoroplatinate

Sodium azide: Chemistry in its element 23.09.2015 6:43 ↓

Raychelle Burks finds out how Potbelly's patrons became poisoning patients, in the mystery of the sodium azide-laced iced tea

Gelsemine : Chemistry in its element 21.09.2015 6:26 ↓

In this week's podcast, Matt Gunther reveals the toxic history of gelsemine

Methyl salicylate: Chemistry in its element 15.09.2015 5:05 ↓

In this week's podcast, Raychelle Burks tells us of the cool but warming effects of methyl salicylate, better known as oil of wintergreen.

Antimony sulfide: Chemistry in its element 02.09.2015 5:33 ↓

It's at the heart of the first chemical equation, and makes Hayley Birch think of quiche. This week's compound is antimony sulfide

Isoprene : Chemistry in its element 26.08.2015 7:06 ↓

Why do the Blue Ridged Mountains inspire so many songs? Maybe it's because of the Isoprene that gives them their blue hue...

Gluten : Chemistry in its element 19.08.2015 4:27 ↓

Emilie Steinmark tells us about gluten and gluten intolerance

2,4-Dinitrophenol: Chemistry in its element 12.08.2015 7:10 ↓

Simon Cotton explains the explosive history and the dangers to health of the weight-loss drug, 2,4-dinitrophenol

Vanadium Oxides: Chemistry in its element 05.08.2015 6:13 ↓

Brian Clegg introduces an exotic chemical dynasty: the Vanadium oxides