In focus – Page 29
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SoundbiteRoses are red, violets are blue, titan arum stinks, and so did Kew
Simon Cotton takes a look at those compounds that find themselves in the news or relate to our everyday lives
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FeatureAcid mine drainage - a legacy of an industrial past
The environmental damage caused by acid mine drainage (AMD) is a worldwide and growing problem in those countries that once, or are still, extracting coal and/or metals. What is AMD, what effect does it have on the environment, and what can be done about
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FeatureChemistry, medicine and genetic analysis
In the near future, doctors will be able to carry out a 'while you wait' test, using genetic analysis, for chlamydia, the silent disease that can lead to infertility in women.
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FeatureIn the steps of Markovnikov
The addition reactions of HCl and HBr to propene to give either 2-chloropropane or 2-bromopropane are often given as examples of Markovnikov's Rule, but in his original 1870 paper, Markovnikov used HI and not HBr or HCl.
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SoundbiteEat your greens
Simon Cotton takes a look at those compounds that find themselves in the news or relate to our everyday lives.
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FeatureGM foods - addressing public concerns
Genetically modified (GM) foods continue to generate media attention and concern among the public. How can analytical chemists help consumers make informed choices
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FeatureRough science and homemade batteries
Investigations involving simple batteries made from items found in the home or school laboratory can help KS3 pupils understand the origin of current, voltage and power, and the chemistry that drives batteries.
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FeatureThe chemistry of self-healing polymers
A familiar example of a system with self-healing ability is the human body. But could an analogous strategy be used for the self-repair of polymeric composites?
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FeatureInvestigating the secrets of the Stradivarius
For the past 200 years violin makers around the world have sought to produce violins that would rival those of Stradivari and Guarneri made during 1700-50.
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FeatureAnalytical chemistry makes the news
University departments traditionally divided chemistry into inorganic, organic and physical subsets, with analytical chemistry sitting somewhere in between. But this is changing. The teaching of analytical chemistry is currently undergoing a renaissance in many universities.
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FeatureThe fight against food adulteration
Today's quality control of the food and drinks industry is thanks to pioneering work started in the 19th century
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SoundbiteGlyphosate
Simon Cotton takes a look at those compounds that find themselves in the news or relate to our everyday lives.
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FeatureSalty solvents – ionic really
Ionic compounds are usually high melting point solids. But mix together a powdered organic salt with aluminium chloride and the result is a clear, colourless, 'ionic liquid'
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SoundbiteRosemary for Remembrance
Simon Cotton takes a look at those compounds that find themselves in the news or relate to our everyday lives
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FeatureMaking ice cream - it's physical chemistry
An understanding of the physical chemistry of ice cream is the route to a smooth, soft, creamy dessert
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FeatureThe beginnings of Mössbauer spectroscopy
In 1958 Rudolf Ludwig Mössbauer, aged 29, published the results of an experiment which gave rise to the branch of spectroscopy which now bears his name.