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Chemistry in its element

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The chemical breakdown is your biweekly source of the latest chemistry news, featuring discussions by our Chemistry World writers on the most exciting announcements and innovations in the field. Plus the full archive of Chemistry in its element – the audio tour of the periodic table and beyond. From Chemistry World, the magazine of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
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The chemical breakdown is your biweekly source of the latest chemistry news, featuring discussions by our Chemistry World writers on the most exciting announcements and innovations in the field. Plus the full archive of Chemistry in its element – the audio tour of the periodic table and beyond. From Chemistry World, the magazine of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
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Episodes

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Published 2015-03-11

Sodium thiopental: Chemistry in its element

6 min
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Once thought to extract the truth and now used to enact the ultimate punishment, this week's compound is sodium thiopental
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Once thought to extract the truth and now used to enact the ultimate punishment, this week's compound is sodium thiopental
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Published 2015-03-04

Barbituric acid: Chemistry in its element

8 min
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It may have been largely superceded in the clinic but Phil Robinson discovers there is no rest yet for barbituric acid
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It may have been largely superceded in the clinic but Phil Robinson discovers there is no rest yet for barbituric acid
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Published 2015-02-25

RNA: Chemistry in its element

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RNA may be less famous than it's more stable cousin, but is central to cellular function
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RNA may be less famous than it's more stable cousin, but is central to cellular function
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Published 2015-02-18

Hydrofluoric acid : Chemistry in its element

5 min
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Breaking Bad may have exaggerated its body-dissolving effects, but Katrina Krämer finds the truth about hydrofluoric acid is just as gruesome
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Breaking Bad may have exaggerated its body-dissolving effects, but Katrina Krämer finds the truth about hydrofluoric acid is just as gruesome
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Published 2015-02-11

Borax: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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From lemon-fresh detergent to home made silly putty, Jenna Bilbrey expounds the virtues of borax
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From lemon-fresh detergent to home made silly putty, Jenna Bilbrey expounds the virtues of borax
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Published 2015-01-07

Paraquat: Chemistry in its element

6 min
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Brian Clegg introduces a weedkiller whose name has entered public consciousness – Paraquat
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Brian Clegg introduces a weedkiller whose name has entered public consciousness – Paraquat
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Published 2014-11-26

Tramadol: Chemistry in its element

6 min
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Simon Cotton introduces the painkiller tramadol – could this be the next banned drug in competitive cycling?
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Simon Cotton introduces the painkiller tramadol – could this be the next banned drug in competitive cycling?
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Published 2014-11-05

Selenium dioxide: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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It smells of 'rotting horseradish' but gives glass a magnificent red colour – Brian Clegg shines a light on selenium dioxide
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It smells of 'rotting horseradish' but gives glass a magnificent red colour – Brian Clegg shines a light on selenium dioxide
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Published 2014-10-09

MDMA: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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The drug that fuelled rave culture may yet be a treatment for PTSD. Hayley Simon introduces MDMA
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The drug that fuelled rave culture may yet be a treatment for PTSD. Hayley Simon introduces MDMA
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Published 2014-10-02

Ethane: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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Why would a simple molecule used to produce plastics excite astronomers? Brian Clegg introduces ethane
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Why would a simple molecule used to produce plastics excite astronomers? Brian Clegg introduces ethane
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Published 2014-09-24

Tantalum pentoxide: Chemistry in its element

6 min
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Lars Öhrström explains how tantalum(V)oxide banished 'the brick' and allows your mobile phone to fit in your pocket
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Lars Öhrström explains how tantalum(V)oxide banished 'the brick' and allows your mobile phone to fit in your pocket
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Published 2014-09-10

Trimethylamine: Chemistry in its element

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It reeks of rotting fish but finds use in a range of applications - Jenna Bilbrey introduces trimethylamine
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It reeks of rotting fish but finds use in a range of applications - Jenna Bilbrey introduces trimethylamine
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Published 2014-09-03

Phenol: Chemistry in its element

6 min
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Phenol, that mainstay of the chemical industry, was a familiar smell around the house in soap. Brian Clegg reveals all
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Phenol, that mainstay of the chemical industry, was a familiar smell around the house in soap. Brian Clegg reveals all
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Published 2014-08-27

Glycerol: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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Simon Cotton describes one of his favourite school chemistry experiments, involving this week's compound: Glycerol
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Simon Cotton describes one of his favourite school chemistry experiments, involving this week's compound: Glycerol
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Published 2014-08-20

Osmium tetraoxide: Chemistry in its element

6 min
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It's highly toxic but essential for studying detailed structures of cells. Brian Clegg introduces osmium tetraoxide
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It's highly toxic but essential for studying detailed structures of cells. Brian Clegg introduces osmium tetraoxide
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Published 2014-08-13

Magnesium oxide: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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You may have created it in a fiery flash or taken it to soothe a burning stomach. Simon Cotton on magnesium oxide
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You may have created it in a fiery flash or taken it to soothe a burning stomach. Simon Cotton on magnesium oxide
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Published 2014-07-30

Isoamyl acetate: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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It makes a sweet banana-flavoured treat, but can ruin home brewed beer; Jenna Bilbrey introduces isoamyl acetate
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It makes a sweet banana-flavoured treat, but can ruin home brewed beer; Jenna Bilbrey introduces isoamyl acetate
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Published 2014-07-23

Bisphenol A: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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The science is far from settled, but this week's compound – bisphenol A – is facing bans across the world
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The science is far from settled, but this week's compound – bisphenol A – is facing bans across the world
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Published 2014-07-16

Tributyltin: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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Helen Scales investigates tributyltin, banned from use as anti-fouling paint for causing 'imposex' in marine life
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Helen Scales investigates tributyltin, banned from use as anti-fouling paint for causing 'imposex' in marine life
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Published 2014-07-09

Desomorphine: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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From potential painkiller to kitchen-cooked heroin replacement, Nate Adams tracks the history of desomorphine
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From potential painkiller to kitchen-cooked heroin replacement, Nate Adams tracks the history of desomorphine
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Published 2014-07-02

Squalene: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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It helps keep sharks afloat, but may be partly responsible for their declining numbers: Helen Scales introduces squalene
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It helps keep sharks afloat, but may be partly responsible for their declining numbers: Helen Scales introduces squalene
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Published 2014-06-25

Albumin: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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Nathan Adams introduces a confusingly-named protein that's essential for keeping blood flowing: Albumin
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Nathan Adams introduces a confusingly-named protein that's essential for keeping blood flowing: Albumin
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Published 2014-06-18

Vermilion: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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Neil Withers finds out how vermilion has been keeping human civilisation looking bright and beautifully red for centuries
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Neil Withers finds out how vermilion has been keeping human civilisation looking bright and beautifully red for centuries
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Published 2014-06-11

Pyridine: Chemistry in its element

6 min
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Brian Clegg holds his nose to examine one of the real workhorses of the organic chemistry lab: Pyridine
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Brian Clegg holds his nose to examine one of the real workhorses of the organic chemistry lab: Pyridine
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Published 2014-06-04

Cytochrome P450: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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Nathan Adams investigates some of the most important molecular machines within our cells, the cytochrome p450 enzymes
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Nathan Adams investigates some of the most important molecular machines within our cells, the cytochrome p450 enzymes
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Published 2014-05-22

Melatonin: Chemistry in its element

4 min
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Meet melatonin, the 'Dracula of hormones', essential in regulating the body's natural circadian rhythm
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Meet melatonin, the 'Dracula of hormones', essential in regulating the body's natural circadian rhythm
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Published 2014-05-14

Naphthalene: Chemistry in its element

6 min
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Once a fusty way of keeping moths out of clothes, Brian Clegg explains how naphthalene may have helped bring life to Earth
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Once a fusty way of keeping moths out of clothes, Brian Clegg explains how naphthalene may have helped bring life to Earth
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Published 2014-05-07

Diphenyl oxalate: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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Nature has a range of ways to create bioluminescence. Not to be outdone, chemists create their own glow with diphenyl oxalate.
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Nature has a range of ways to create bioluminescence. Not to be outdone, chemists create their own glow with diphenyl oxalate.
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Published 2014-04-30

Tannins: Chemistry in its element

6 min
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They are the compounds that link leather trousers to a nice cup of tea - Brian Clegg introduces tannins
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They are the compounds that link leather trousers to a nice cup of tea - Brian Clegg introduces tannins
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Published 2014-04-23

Prolactin: Chemistry in its element

4 min
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Anna Lewcock finds out how pigeons played a major role in discovering an important pituitary hormone, prolactin
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Anna Lewcock finds out how pigeons played a major role in discovering an important pituitary hormone, prolactin
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Published 2014-04-16

Luminol: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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Amongst the fictional forensic equipment shown on television, Brian Clegg notices one distinctly non-fiction stalwart: Luminol
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Amongst the fictional forensic equipment shown on television, Brian Clegg notices one distinctly non-fiction stalwart: Luminol
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Published 2014-04-02

Dibromoindigo: Chemistry in its element

5 min
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Purple was once a colour only royalty could afford to wear. Hayley Birch investigates tyrian purple, or dibromoindigo, the original purple dye
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Purple was once a colour only royalty could afford to wear. Hayley Birch investigates tyrian purple, or dibromoindigo, the original purple dye
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