The chemical breakdown & Chemistry in its element

Copyright: © This podcast is provided by the Royal Society of Chemistry, and no part may be redistributed without prior permission from chemistryworld@rsc.org

Latest Episodes:

Propylene glycol: Chemistry in its element May 24, 2017

Show notes

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 May 17, 2017

Show notes

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 May 12, 2017

Show notes

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

Anthocyanins: Chemistry in its element May 05, 2017

Show notes

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 Apr 27, 2017

Show notes

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

Ragwort alkaloids: Chemistry in its element Apr 19, 2017

Show notes

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 Apr 13, 2017

Show notes

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

Urushiol: Chemistry in its element Apr 05, 2017

Show notes

Kat Arney introduces a two-faced tree sap that can cause nasty rashes or be made into beautiful Japanese furniture

Mercuric chloride: Chemistry in its element Mar 31, 2017

Show notes

Through an early ointment for spots through a medicine for syphilitic Victorians, Michael Freemantle traces the history of highly toxic mercuric chloride

Nepetalactone: Chemistry in its element Mar 22, 2017

Show notes

The catnip compound that felines go crazy for could have exciting uses for humans, too, as Kat Arney finds out