Psilocybin & Mescaline: Chemistry in its element
Simon Cotton explores our hallucinogenic horizons with psilocybin and mescaline
Nov 12, 20140
Chemistry in its element
A weekly tour of the periodic table, from Chemistry World, the magazine of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
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Episodes
Selenium dioxide: Chemistry in its element
It smells of 'rotting horseradish' but gives glass a magnificent red colour – Brian Clegg shines a light on selenium dioxide
Nov 05, 2014•6 min
Human growth hormone: Chemistry in its element
Marketed as a path to eternal youth but banned in professional sports, Hayley Simon introduces human growth hormone
Oct 29, 2014•5 min
Magnesium chloride: Chemistry in its element
It may have no common name, but as Brian Clegg explains, magnesium chloride has many common uses
Oct 23, 2014•6 min
Acetone peroxide: Chemistry in its element
Simon Cotton takes us back to a dark day in UK history, to highlight a terrible use of acetone peroxide
Oct 15, 2014•5 min
MDMA: Chemistry in its element
The drug that fuelled rave culture may yet be a treatment for PTSD. Hayley Simon introduces MDMA
Oct 09, 2014•6 min
Ethane: Chemistry in its element
Why would a simple molecule used to produce plastics excite astronomers? Brian Clegg introduces ethane
Oct 02, 2014•5 min
Tantalum pentoxide: Chemistry in its element
Lars Öhrström explains how tantalum(V)oxide banished 'the brick' and allows your mobile phone to fit in your pocket
Sep 24, 2014•6 min
Sodium alginate: Chemistry in its element
When Brian Clegg's acid reflux strikes, he knows he can rely on help from this compound: Sodium alginate
Sep 17, 2014•6 min
Trimethylamine: Chemistry in its element
It reeks of rotting fish but finds use in a range of applications - Jenna Bilbrey introduces trimethylamine
Sep 10, 20140
Phenol: Chemistry in its element
Phenol, that mainstay of the chemical industry, was a familiar smell around the house in soap. Brian Clegg reveals all
Sep 03, 2014•6 min
Glycerol: Chemistry in its element
Simon Cotton describes one of his favourite school chemistry experiments, involving this week's compound: Glycerol
Aug 27, 2014•6 min
Osmium tetraoxide: Chemistry in its element
It's highly toxic but essential for studying detailed structures of cells. Brian Clegg introduces osmium tetraoxide
Aug 20, 2014•7 min
Magnesium oxide: Chemistry in its element
You may have created it in a fiery flash or taken it to soothe a burning stomach. Simon Cotton on magnesium oxide
Aug 13, 2014•5 min
Antifreeze glycoproteins: Chemistry in its element
Why don't fish freeze in sub-zero seas? Helen Scales introduces the compounds that protect them - antifreeze glycoproteins
Aug 06, 2014•6 min
Isoamyl acetate: Chemistry in its element
It makes a sweet banana-flavoured treat, but can ruin home brewed beer; Jenna Bilbrey introduces isoamyl acetate
Jul 30, 2014•6 min
Bisphenol A: Chemistry in its element
The science is far from settled, but this week's compound – bisphenol A – is facing bans across the world
Jul 23, 2014•6 min
Tributyltin: Chemistry in its element
Helen Scales investigates tributyltin, banned from use as anti-fouling paint for causing 'imposex' in marine life
Jul 16, 2014•5 min
Desomorphine: Chemistry in its element
From potential painkiller to kitchen-cooked heroin replacement, Nate Adams tracks the history of desomorphine
Jul 09, 2014•5 min
Squalene: Chemistry in its element
It helps keep sharks afloat, but may be partly responsible for their declining numbers: Helen Scales introduces squalene
Jul 02, 2014•5 min
Albumin: Chemistry in its element
Nathan Adams introduces a confusingly-named protein that's essential for keeping blood flowing: Albumin
Jun 25, 2014•5 min
Vermilion: Chemistry in its element
Neil Withers finds out how vermilion has been keeping human civilisation looking bright and beautifully red for centuries
Jun 18, 2014•6 min
Pyridine: Chemistry in its element
Brian Clegg holds his nose to examine one of the real workhorses of the organic chemistry lab: Pyridine
Jun 11, 2014•6 min
Cytochrome P450: Chemistry in its element
Nathan Adams investigates some of the most important molecular machines within our cells, the cytochrome p450 enzymes
Jun 04, 2014•5 min
Ammonium dichromate: Chemistry in its element
Brian Clegg reminisces about indoor fireworks and Vesuvian fire with this week's compound: Ammonium dichromate
May 28, 2014•7 min
Melatonin: Chemistry in its element
Meet melatonin, the 'Dracula of hormones', essential in regulating the body's natural circadian rhythm
May 22, 2014•4 min
Naphthalene: Chemistry in its element
Once a fusty way of keeping moths out of clothes, Brian Clegg explains how naphthalene may have helped bring life to Earth
May 14, 2014•6 min
Diphenyl oxalate: Chemistry in its element
Nature has a range of ways to create bioluminescence. Not to be outdone, chemists create their own glow with diphenyl oxalate.
May 07, 2014•5 min
Tannins: Chemistry in its element
They are the compounds that link leather trousers to a nice cup of tea - Brian Clegg introduces tannins
Apr 30, 2014•6 min
Prolactin: Chemistry in its element
Anna Lewcock finds out how pigeons played a major role in discovering an important pituitary hormone, prolactin
Apr 23, 2014•5 min
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