Chemistry in Its Element

The science is far from settled, but this week's compound – bisphenol A – is facing bans across the world

Helen Scales investigates tributyltin, banned from use as anti-fouling paint for causing 'imposex' in marine...

From potential painkiller to kitchen-cooked heroin replacement, Nate Adams tracks the history of desomorphine

It helps keep sharks afloat, but may be partly responsible for their declining numbers: Helen Scales introduces squalene

Nathan Adams introduces a confusingly-named protein that's essential for keeping blood flowing: Albumin

Neil Withers finds out how vermilion has been keeping human civilisation looking bright and beautifully red for...

Brian Clegg holds his nose to examine one of the real workhorses of the organic chemistry lab: Pyridine

Nathan Adams investigates some of the most important molecular machines within our cells, the cytochrome p450 enzymes

Brian Clegg reminisces about indoor fireworks and Vesuvian fire with this week's compound: Ammonium dichromate

Meet melatonin, the 'Dracula of hormones', essential in regulating the body's natural circadian rhythm

Once a fusty way of keeping moths out of clothes, Brian Clegg explains how naphthalene may have helped bring life to...

自然有一个范围of ways to create bioluminescence. Not to be outdone, chemists create their own glow with diphenyl...

They are the compounds that link leather trousers to a nice cup of tea - Brian Clegg introduces tannins

Anna Lewcock finds out how pigeons played a major role in discovering an important pituitary hormone, prolactin

在虚构的法医设备上显示television, Brian Clegg notices one distinctly non-fiction stalwart:...

It smells sweet, is potentially lethal and organic chemists rely on it: Emily James on dichloromethane

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

Stephen Wallace introduces batrachotoxin, a deadly toxin that comes from a beautiful little frog

Brian Clegg introduces the first compound to ever exist - helium hydride

Simon Cotton introduces the first antibiotic known to kill TB: Streptomycin

Lars Öhrström delves into the history of alum, a compound linked to some of Europe's most infamous families

Helen Scales investigates hirudin, a powerful anticoagulant found in leech saliva

Simon Cotton explores a dance-scene drug that was designed for horses, ketamine

Hayley Birch discovers the compound that links explosive anaesthetics, plastics and ripe bananas: Ethene