Urushiol: Chemistry in its element
Kat Arney introduces a two-faced tree sap that can cause nasty rashes or be made into beautiful Japanese furniture
Apr 05, 2017•5 min
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
Mercuric chloride: Chemistry in its element
Through an early ointment for spots through a medicine for syphilitic Victorians, Michael Freemantle traces the history of highly toxic mercuric chloride
Mar 31, 2017•7 min
Nepetalactone: Chemistry in its element
The catnip compound that felines go crazy for could have exciting uses for humans, too, as Kat Arney finds out
Mar 22, 2017•5 min
Spermine and spermidine: Chemistry in its element
Kiki Sanford explores how polyamines found in semen could be related to a long and healthy life
Mar 15, 2017•9 min
Mustine: Chemistry in its element
Michael Freemantle on chemical weapons and the birth of cancer chemotherapy
Mar 08, 2017•7 min
CiiE: Molybdenum disulphide
Forming layers just three atoms deep, molybdenum disulfide shows potential in filtration, flexible screens and minuscule transistors
Mar 01, 2017•7 min
Arsenic trioxide: Chemistry in its element
Kit Chapman explains how a 'daft' pharmacy mix up led to a series of poisonings in Victorian Britain
Feb 22, 2017•5 min
Darcin: Chemistry in its element
Jane Austen’s Mr Darcy lends his name to a pheromone that lets mice feel the love, as Kat Arney discovers
Feb 15, 2017•6 min
Porphyrins: Chemistry in its element
Brian Clegg examines the colourful compounds that no red-blooded creature can do without: Porphyrins
Feb 08, 2017•6 min
Solvated electrons: Chemistry in its element
Blue flashes and metallic water are just some of the tricks the smallest possible anion has up its sleeve
Feb 02, 2017•8 min
Adamantane: Chemistry in its element
Brian Clegg introduces a crystalline hydrocarbon that isn't as tough as it sounds, but is the basis of a wide range of medicines
Jan 26, 2017•7 min
Pancuronium bromide: Chemistry in its element
On-demand muscle paralysis revolutionised surgery. Katrina Krämer explores one of the key muscle relaxants used in medical procedures: Pancuronium bromide
Jan 19, 2017•7 min
TCDD or dioxin: Chemistry in its element
The Seveso accident saw an accidental release of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD), commonly known as dioxin. Matt Gunther tells the tragic story.
Jan 11, 2017•6 min
Orlistat: Chemistry in its element
With thoughts turning to our festively-expanded waistlines, Kit Chapman looks at a poster child in the battle against obesity
Jan 04, 2017•4 min
Eugenol: Chemistry in its element
Eugenol, the smell most associated with cloves, may be one of the defining smells of Christmas, but it also leads a double life as fish anaesthetic and insect attractant...
Dec 21, 2016•5 min
Diborane: Chemistry in its element
This week, Neil Withers examines a compound with the 'wrong' number of bonds: Diborane
Dec 14, 2016•5 min
Diazepam: Chemistry in its element
Jamie Durrani introduces one of the biggest selling pharmaceuticals in history, the 'mother's little helper': Diazepam
Dec 07, 2016•5 min
Swainsonine: Chemistry in its element
Katrina Krämer investigates the sad case of Christopher McCandless, who some believe consumed the poison swainsonine in the Alaskan wilderness
Nov 30, 2016•6 min
Bromodeoxyuridine: Chemistry in its element
Kat Arney introduces bromodeoxyuridine, or BrdU, a nucleoside that revolutionised our ability to watch cells grow and divide
Nov 23, 2016•5 min
Benzoyl peroxide: Chemistry in its element
The whitest smile, the blondest blonde, the clearest complexion – all from one essential compound. Fernando Gomollón-Bel introduces benzoyl peroxide
Nov 16, 2016•4 min
Butyric acid: Chemistry in its element
Louise Crane reveals the compound that gives American chocolate and wet dogs their distinct aroma
Nov 09, 2016•6 min
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP): Chemistry in its element
Kat Arney explains how a protein that repairs broken DNA holds the key to killing cancer cells – but only if you stop it from doing its job
Nov 02, 2016•6 min
Neodymium chloride: Chemistry in its element
From medicine to the military, this compound makes lasers for a range of applications. Brian Clegg discovers neodymium chloride
Oct 26, 2016•5 min
Gabapentin: Chemistry in its element
Louise Crane documents the rise and fall of gabapentin – from ‘wonder drug’ to illicit substance in just 50 years
Oct 19, 2016•6 min
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET): Chemistry in its element
The story of one of the most ubiquitous artificial compounds
Oct 12, 2016•6 min
BINAP: Chemistry in its element
Katrina Kramer introduces the Nobel prize-winning ligand that will give you just the hand you need: BINAP or 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl
Oct 06, 2016•7 min
Fluorouracil: Chemistry in its element
A substitute for one of the bases in DNA that can cause the death of cancer cells
Sep 28, 2016•7 min
Quaternary ammonium salts: Chemistry in its element
Brian Clegg introduces a family of molecules that first gave fluffy softness to freshly washed clothes
Sep 21, 2016•5 min
Ergotamine: Chemistry in its element
Ben Valsler finds out why writing Alice’s adventures in Wonderland was such a headache for Lewis Carroll
Sep 14, 2016•6 min
Spinel: Chemistry in its element
Find out about the Black Prince’s ruby, which is no ruby at all
Sep 07, 2016•5 min
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