Palau'amine

By Simon Cotton2010-03-01T00:00:00

Source: NOAA Ocean explorer

Simon Cotton takes a look at those compounds that find themselves in the news or relate to our everyday lives.

Sounds organic

Indeed, this molecule (C₁₇H₂₂ClN₉O₂) was first identified in 1993 from the sponge Stylotella aurantium, collected off the Palau Islands in the Pacific. The molecule contains several amine groups, hence its name. No one is quite sure why the sponge makes this molecule - it may deter fish from feeding, or discourage microbes from living on them.

So what's so special about it?

Simon Cotton explains more about this fascinating compound

Thanks for using Education in Chemistry. You can view one Education in Chemistry article per month as a visitor.

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more:

unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not eligible for Teach Chemistry? Sign up for a personal account instead, or you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.