Chemistry in its element

Katrina Krämer investigates the sad case of Christopher McCandless, who some believe consumed the poison swainsonine in the Alaskan wilderness

Kat Arney introduces bromodeoxyuridine, or BrdU, a nucleoside that revolutionised our ability to watch cells grow and divide

The whitest smile, the blondest blonde, the clearest complexion – all from one essential compound. Fernando Gomollón-Bel introduces benzoyl peroxide

Louise Crane reveals the compound that gives American chocolate and wet dogs their distinct aroma

Kat Arney explains how a protein that repairs broken DNA holds the key to killing cancer cells – but only if you stop it from doing its job

From medicine to the military, this compound makes lasers for a range of applications. Brian Clegg discovers neodymium chloride

Louise Crane documents the rise and fall of gabapentin – from 'wonder drug' to illicit substance in just 50 years

The story of one of the most ubiquitous artificial compounds

Katrina Kramer introduces the Nobel prize-winning ligand that will give you just the hand you need: BINAP or 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl

A substitute for one of the bases in DNA that can cause the death of cancer cells

Brian Clegg introduces a family of molecules that first gave fluffy softness to freshly washed clothes

Ben Valsler finds out why writing Alice's adventures in Wonderland was such a headache for Lewis Carroll

Find out about the Black Prince's ruby, which is no ruby at all

This powerful poison is said to have the power to transform werewolves and heal snake bites. Brian Clegg unpicks fiction from fact

Is there really a simple, fruity route to weight loss?

Brian Clegg gets to the heart of the matter on the benefits or otherwise of one of the most commonly prescribed drugs

Is there a single hormone that causes hunger, and is this it?

When the communion bread starts secreting blood, could this be the cause?

Kat Arney tells us about the active ingredient in energy drinks

A yellow dress, of the type worn by Jane Austen, sets Michael Freemantle exploring the chemistry of picric acid

It's the active molecule in the plant known as electric daisies or the toothache plant but it might also make your skin smoother

Kat Arney introduces the organomercury preservative associated with the current controversy around vaccines

Ever taken a whiff of smelling salts? For many years, the compound that contributed the pungent pong was ammonium carbonate

With a name that literally means rotten resin, asafoetida is a surprising food additive and deodorant

The 1984 accident at Bhopal, India, was the worst in the history of industrial chemistry. It involved a leak of methyl isocyanate

Kat Arney introduces a biologically ubiquitous compound, important in beating both infectious viruses and invasive weeds

The tastiest food additive there is, or the greatest threat to life in the western world?

The Battle of Jutland was fought 100 years ago next week, on May 31st, 1916. A critical role was played by cordite

Michael Freemantle takes a stroll through 'Jane Austen country' to discover this week's compound: Coumarin

For decades, automobile fuel had a dangerous additive: Tetraethyl lead. Matt Gunther explains why a toxic compound was added to our fuel

It failed as a painkiller, but Haldol rapidly became an essential medicine for schizophrenia. Raychelle Burks explains more

It may not be the best material for solar cells but it has some distinct advantages

Rowena Fletcher-Wood on the simple compound that links spandex, automobile safety and space exploration: Hydrazine

Does burnt toast cause cancer? Martha Henriques explores this complex question

This week's compound has had a glowing career in the arts and a runaway success in the energy sector

Michael Freemantle with a colourful account of the birth of synthetic organic chemistry

Emma Stoye on citronellol - her constant companion when faced with biting bugs

Kat Arney discovers the compound that first coloured the Chicago river green for St Patrick's Day

What do hygienic work surfaces have in common with 19th century French violins? Brian Clegg finds out.

Too much cola can mess with your brain. The effects of excess brominated vegetable oil explained

Oseltamivir, or Tamiflu, stockpiling during the 2009 H1N1 epidemic highlighted significant problems with drugs trials policy

Flibanserin was touted to be the female Viagra. Martha Henriques explains why it failed to live up to the hype.

Michael Freemantle relates the history arolein, a poor tear gas with unexpected benefits

Raychelle Burks explains how the scent of cedar wood can be used to destroy pests

Kat Arney shines a light on the fluorescent DNA marker

Michael Freemantle tells us of discovery that lit the homes and put the food on the table of millions of people

Martha Henriques explains how compounds developed to keep parasites at bay may be protecting rhinos from poachers

Kat Arney reveals how high temperature bacteria provide us with the molecule that speeds up DNA sequencing

Kiki Sanford examines the molecule that holds the balance between life and death

Michael Freemantle awakens us to the history of diethyl ether