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 

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

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

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

Spermine and spermidine: Chemistry in its element

Kiki Sanford explores how polyamines found in semen could be related to a long and healthy life

Mustine: Chemistry in its element

Michael Freemantle on chemical weapons and the birth of cancer chemotherapy

CiiE: Molybdenum disulphide

Forming layers just three atoms deep, molybdenum disulfide shows potential in filtration, flexible screens and minuscule transistors

Arsenic trioxide: Chemistry in its element

Kit Chapman explains how a 'daft' pharmacy mix up led to a series of poisonings in Victorian Britain

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

Porphyrins: Chemistry in its element

Brian Clegg examines the colourful compounds that no red-blooded creature can do without: Porphyrins

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

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

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

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.

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

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...

Diborane: Chemistry in its element

This week, Neil Withers examines a compound with the 'wrong' number of bonds: Diborane

Diazepam: Chemistry in its element

Jamie Durrani introduces one of the biggest selling pharmaceuticals in history, the 'mother's little helper': Diazepam

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

Bromodeoxyuridine: Chemistry in its element

Kat Arney introduces bromodeoxyuridine, or BrdU, a nucleoside that revolutionised our ability to watch cells grow and divide

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