Aconitine: Chemistry in its element
This powerful poison is said to have the power to transform werewolves and heal snake bites. Brian Clegg unpicks fiction from fact
Aug 31, 2016•6 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
Raspberry ketone: Chemistry in its element
Is there really a simple, fruity route to weight loss?
Aug 24, 2016•9 min
Statins: Chemistry in its element
Brian Clegg gets to the heart of the matter on the benefits or otherwise of one of the most commonly prescribed drugs
Aug 17, 2016•6 min
Ghrelin: Chemistry in its element
Is there a single hormone that causes hunger, and is this it?
Aug 10, 2016•6 min
Prodiginines: Chemistry in its element
When the communion bread starts secreting blood, could this be the cause?
Aug 03, 2016•8 min
Taurine: Chemistry in its element
Kat Arney tells us about the active ingredient in energy drinks
Jul 26, 2016•6 min
Picric acid: Chemistry in its element
A yellow dress, of the type worn by Jane Austen, sets Michael Freemantle exploring the chemistry of picric acid
Jul 20, 2016•7 min
Spilanthol: Chemistry in its element
It's the active molecule in the plant known as electric daisies or the toothache plant but it might also make your skin smoother
Jul 14, 2016•6 min
Thiomersal: Chemistry in its element
Kat Arney introduces the organomercury preservative associated with the current controversy around vaccines
Jul 06, 2016•6 min
Ammonium carbonate: Chemistry in its element
Ever taken a whiff of smelling salts? For many years, the compound that contributed the pungent pong was ammonium carbonate
Jun 29, 2016•7 min
Asafoetida: Chemistry in its element
With a name that literally means rotten resin, asafoetida is a surprising food additive and deodorant
Jun 22, 2016•7 min
Methyl isocyanate: Chemistry in its element
The 1984 accident at Bhopal, India, was the worst in the history of industrial chemistry. It involved a leak of methyl isocyanate
Jun 15, 2016•8 min
Shikimic acid: Chemistry in its element
Kat Arney introduces a biologically ubiquitous compound, important in beating both infectious viruses and invasive weeds
Jun 08, 2016•6 min
Sucrose: Chemistry in its element
The tastiest food additive there is, or the greatest threat to life in the western world?
May 31, 2016•6 min
Cordite: Chemistry in its element
The Battle of Jutland was fought 100 years ago next week, on May 31st, 1916. A critical role was played by cordite
May 25, 2016•6 min
Coumarin: Chemistry in its element
Michael Freemantle takes a stroll through 'Jane Austen country' to discover this week's compound: Coumarin
May 18, 2016•6 min
Tetraethyl lead: Chemistry in its element
For decades, automobile fuel had a dangerous additive: Tetraethyl lead. Matt Gunther explains why a toxic compound was added to our fuel
May 11, 2016•6 min
Haloperidol: Chemistry in its element
It failed as a painkiller, but Haldol rapidly became an essential medicine for schizophrenia. Raychelle Burks explains more
May 04, 2016•7 min
Cadmium telluride: Chemistry in its element
It may not be the best material for solar cells but it has some distinct advantages
Apr 27, 2016•7 min
Hydrazine: Chemistry in its element
Rowena Fletcher-Wood on the simple compound that links spandex, automobile safety and space exploration: Hydrazine
Apr 20, 2016•7 min
Acrylamide: Chemistry in its element
Does burnt toast cause cancer? Martha Henriques explores this complex question
Apr 13, 2016•6 min
Uranium dioxide: Chemistry in its element
This week's compound has had a glowing career in the arts and a runaway success in the energy sector
Apr 06, 2016•7 min
Mauveine: Chemistry in its element
Michael Freemantle with a colourful account of the birth of synthetic organic chemistry
Mar 30, 2016•8 min
Citronellol: Chemistry in its element
Emma Stoye on citronellol - her constant companion when faced with biting bugs
Mar 23, 2016•6 min
Fluorescein: Chemistry in its element
Kat Arney discovers the compound that first coloured the Chicago river green for St Patrick's Day
Mar 16, 2016•5 min
Sodium hypochlorite: Chemistry in its element
What do hygienic work surfaces have in common with 19th century French violins? Brian Clegg finds out.
Mar 09, 2016•7 min
Brominated vegetable oil: Chemistry in its element
Too much cola can mess with your brain. The effects of excess brominated vegetable oil explained
Mar 02, 2016•7 min
Oseltamivir : Chemistry in its element
Oseltamivir, or Tamiflu, stockpiling during the 2009 H1N1 epidemic highlighted significant problems with drugs trials policy
Feb 24, 2016•6 min
Flibanserin: Chemistry in its element
Flibanserin was touted to be the female Viagra. Martha Henriques explains why it failed to live up to the hype.
Feb 17, 2016•6 min
Acrolein: Chemistry in its element
Michael Freemantle relates the history arolein, a poor tear gas with unexpected benefits
Feb 09, 2016•7 min
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