Chemistry in its element

This week, Ben Valsler investigates the smoky compound that links whisky, kippers, bacon, hot dogs, coffee, creosote and cough syrup

For many, it's the smell of spring and summer. But hexenal - responsible for the aroma of freshly cut grass - makes Simon Cotton think of cricket.

Did chemistry help control tension in the trenches? Brian Clegg investigates potassium bromide

A devastating weapon indelibly associated with Apocalypse Now and the Vietnam war, Simon Cotton introduces Napalm

Tamoxifen can treat and prevent one type of breast cancer, without the side effects of chemotherapy. Andrew Holding explains more

By tasting fantastically bitter, but only to some, phenylthiocarbamide (or PTC) exposed the genetics of taste

Sitting on your glasses is no longer a death sentence for spectacles, thanks to shape memory alloys like nitinol

It's a massive molecular record breaker. Andrew Holding introduces Titin, the largest protein in the human body

Helen Scales looks at cantharidin, the active ingredient in this famous aphrodisiac

Serotonin, the 'happy molecule', may be at the root of depression, but Hayley Birch finds we still have a lot to learn

Wrongly blamed for murders and hallucinations, Simon Cotton raises a glass of absinthe to this week's compound: Thujone

How can whale waste make you a fortune? This week, Helen Scales searches for Ambergris

Simon Cotton introduces the dynamic Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson, and the catalyst that carries his name

The poison from deadly nightshade, used in a recent attempted murder - Dan Johnson introduces atropine

Brian Clegg is taken back to his childhood by zinc oxide

David Lindsay explores the first of the conducting organic polymers, polyacetylene

It's the compound that creates a lucrative market from leftover lobster. Emma Stoye introduces chitin

Developed to save lives, its potential to give cheats an edge was soon identified. David Lindsay explores erythropoietin

For an aromatic curry and, potentially, a healthier life, Simon Cotton recommends curcumin

It kept the explosions on the silver screen instead of in the projection booth - Brian Clegg on cellulose acetate

Just 50 grams could kill everyone on the planet, but we have it injected into our faces. David Lindsay on Botox

Phillip Broadwith discusses one of the neonicitinoid insecticides believed to be causing problems for bees

To some it looks cheap and nasty, for others it's a sensible (or even sexy) design decision. Brian Clegg wraps himself in PVC

Can a compound in red wine protect against heart attack and cancer? Phillip Broadwith investigates resveratrol

Lars Öhrström on phosphoric acid: Crucial for crops and DNA's backbone, it's the energy currency of the biological world

It repairs objects, heals wounds and fights crime. It puts the 'super' in superglue. Emma Stoye introduces cyanoacrylate

The stuff of action films and horrifying news stories, Simon Cotton introduces the infamous nerve agent, VX

It's a catalyst, an abrasive, a bright white pigment and the basis for beautiful gemstones - Neil Withers introduces Alumina

Simon Cotton introduces us to cathinone, the active ingredient in the stimulant Khat

Emma Stoye on digoxin, a toxic product of foxgloves, and the birth of modern pharmacology

Neil Withers recalls making this groundbreaking superconductor as a student

Lars Öhrström gets his teeth into the first sandwich compound

Lars Öhrström finds a link between Napoleon III and rhubarb

Brian Clegg has a sniff at the bitterest substance known to science

Brian Clegg explains how bath salts may actually be more than just relaxing

Simon Cotton explains the discovery of 'the drug of last resort'

Brian Clegg raises a glass to unscrupulous barmen

Simon Cotton looks at the rocket propellant that causes environmental problems

Brian Clegg brightens up our lives with some bright yellow chemistry

Simon Cotton channels the Fonz and stays cool

Brian Clegg opens our eyes to the compounds that enable sight

Josh Howgego looks into the past, with help from some alkenones

Philip Robinson tells us about the first chemotherapeutic drug

Brian Clegg looks at one of the original environmental villains

Laura Howes looks back to a time when feeling blue was a good thing - and wearing it was 'bling'

Josh Howgego prepares to socialise - and tells us why 'cuddle chemicals' are too good to be true

Rust podcast from Chemistry World - the magazine of the Royal Society of Chemistry

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Geosmin podcast from Chemistry World - the magazine of the Royal Society of Chemistry