Chemistry in Its Element

Brian Clegg on sodium sulfate, known as 'the miraculous salt' because of its strong laxative effects.

Tempted by a tipple of home-brewed moonshine? Andrew Turley examines the risks associated with drinking methanol.

Brian Clegg investigates a compound that calms inflamed joints and excites the stressed brain: Cortisol

Ben Valsler examines the chemicals at the heart of one of the latest cosmetic & food additive scare stories:...

Matt Gunther investigates a clear, colourless gas responsible for thousands of deaths in the Great War: Phosgene

It rendered walls of pyramids and helps remove unwanted hair - Brian Clegg introduces a compound with many names -...

From a glamorous necklace to cutting edge body armour - Helen Scales investigates the properties of nacre

Brian Clegg smooths out the wrinkles over the darling of the cosmetic industry, hyaluronic acid

How do mussels stick tight and weather the constant ocean waves? Helen Scales discovers mussel adhesive proteins

Brian Clegg introduces a compound steeped in faded Victorian glamour – acetylene

Simon Cotton examines a compound banned in warfare but still used by police to disperse crowds: CS gas

It's the strongest known biological material and one of the earliest pigments - Helen Scales discovers goethite

Brian Clegg discusses the vitamin found in both breakfast cereal and meteorites: Niacin

Start your engines! Simon Cotton looks into one of the few chemical names known well to the public: Octane

Sensible approach to dental rot or sinister communist plot? Brian Clegg examines the much-maligned fluorides

Simon Cotton introduces the first of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants: Prozac

Once thought to extract the truth and now used to enact the ultimate punishment, this week's compound is sodium...

It may have been largely superceded in the clinic but Phil Robinson discovers there is no rest yet for barbituric acid

RNA may be less famous than it's more stable cousin, but is central to cellular function

Breaking Bad may have exaggerated its body-dissolving effects, but Katrina Krämer finds the truth about hydrofluoric...

From lemon-fresh detergent to home made silly putty, Jenna Bilbrey expounds the virtues of borax

Brian Clegg introduces the 'ogres' that make up transparent electronics

Nina Notman describes the dance of olefin metathesis, and how the tempo is set by Grubbs' catalysts

Brian Clegg explains how titanium nitride could protect artificial joints and pimp out your ride