Chemistry in its element

Aflatoxins: Chemistry in its element

Kat Arney investigates the cancer-causing chemicals that could be lurking in that bag of peanuts

Citral: Chemistry in its element

Brian Clegg freshens up the podcast with a spritz of lemon scent, courtesy of neral and geranial, collectively known as citral

Neoprene: Chemistry in its element

Cinnarizine: Chemistry in its element

Neil Withers relives a choppy (and messy) sea voyage to bring us the science of anti-seasickness drug cinnarizine, known in the UK as stugeron

Sodium dichromate: Chemistry in its element

Discover the compound at the heart of a multi-million dollar legal case and an Oscar–winning role for Julia Roberts

Coomassie brilliant blue: Chemistry in its element

Kat Arney explains how an attractive blue dye, with a name inspired by the British Empire’s military exploits, became the basis of a fundamental lab technique

Phosphorus chlorides: Chemistry in its element

Brian Clegg on a hugely useful group of compounds that have a distinct dual personality – from household products to chemical weapons

tert-Butyl Lithium: Chemistry in its element

A pyrophoric reagent that remains one of chemistry’s staples and the liquid salts that can tame its wild reactivity

Alizarin: Chemistry in its element

Mike Freemantle introduces a pigment used by William Morris that also gave the Redcoats their distinctive hue

Chlorine trifluoride: Chemistry in its element

Tabitha Watson introduces a poisonous, corrosive and extremely reactive compound that will start 'roaring reactions' with almost anything

Pykrete: Chemistry in its element

A lightweight, bulletproof material made from ice and wood pulp

Sodium polyacrylate: Chemistry in its Element

Kat Arney explains the unlikely link between fake snow and babies' nappies

Indometacin: Chemistry in its element

Mike Freemantle discusses the drug that keeps his gout at bay

Piranha solution: Chemistry in its element

When you need to get your glassware extremely clean, you need a cleaning solution with real 'bite'

Lignin: Chemistry in its element

Wood has been vital in the development of human civilisation. Brian Clegg looks at the compound at its heart

Diphenylchlorarsine: Chemistry in its element

Mike Freemantle introduces a chemical weapon developed in the first world war that fortunately failed to live up to its terrible potential

Aqua regia: Chemistry in its element

Tabitha Watson introduces the most aristocratic of acids: Aqua regia

Chymosin: Chemistry in its element

The enzyme that helps us turn milk into cheese is also responsible for the biggest commercial success story of any genetically modified organism

Casein: Chemistry in its element

One of the most popular plastics of the early 20th century was accidentally invented by a cat, as Kat Arney finds out

Gallium nitride: Chemistry in its element

Despite early setbacks, this conducting crystal shows great promise across a wide range of electronics

Caesium chloride: Chemistry in its element

Caesium chloride is packs a lot of radioactivity into a small volume, making it ideal for treatments where the radioactive material needs to be accurately sited

Rotaxanes: Chemistry in its element

Katrina Kramer speaks with Manchester University researcher David Leigh about compounds that resemble machine parts and could pave the way for molecular robots

Fibrin and fibrinogen: Chemistry in its element

From scabby knees to life-threatening strokes, this important protein is the fundamental link in the complex molecular chain that forms blood clots.

Propylene glycol: Chemistry in its element

When a batch of cinnamon whiskey meant for the American market made its way to Europe, it highlighted starkly different regulations controlling how much propylene glycol is allowed in food and drink

Butanone: Chemistry in its element

If you’ve ever built plastic scale models of aeroplanes or spacecraft, you’ll be familiar with the sharp, sweet smell of butanone

Propranolol hydrochloride: Chemistry in its element

Rowena Fletcher-Wood discovers how to stave off stage fright, with a simple compound that revolutionised drug development

Anthocyanins: Chemistry in its element

Michael Freemantle explores the pigments responsible for the rich colours of autumn foliage: ‘the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves’.

MOFs – Metal–organic frameworks: Chemistry in its element

Katrina Krämer examines these extremely versatile materials and speaks to MOF pioneer Omar Yaghi

Ragwort alkaloids: Chemistry in its element

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Ragworts and other plants are popular with pollinators but a potent poison to wildlife and livestock, as Mike Freemantle discovers

Phosphine: Chemistry in its element

Kit Chapman on the compound that could be the chemical cause of mysterious lights in the night: Phosphines