Latest
Research
Silicon-based ‘ladder molecules’ take a step up in complexity
New compounds are ‘among the most complex organosilanes ever synthesised’
Feature
Carbon in an ice world
Antarctica may seem pristine and almost devoid of life, but there’s plenty of chemistry going on. Victoria Atkinson explains what it can tell us about the climate and pollution across the globe
Feature
The young female astronomer who worked out what the sun is made of
100 years ago, Cecilia Payne deduced that the sun is mainly made of hydrogen – but was encouraged to downplay her findings by her PhD supervisor. Mike Sutton takes up the story
Opinion
Benzene’s 200-year legacy of transformation
As we celebrate the anniversary of benzene’s isolation, we must remember that scientific centenaries carry additional agendas
Research
Most energetic molecule ever made is stable – in liquid nitrogen
Nitrogen allotrope releases double the energy of the most powerful chemical explosives
Silicon-based ‘ladder molecules’ take a step up in complexity
New compounds are ‘among the most complex organosilanes ever synthesised’
Lichen sunscreen blocks extreme UV radiation and might enhance cosmetics, materials
Discovery also suggests that photosynthetic life might survive on planets circling powerful stars
Microwaves make sustainable sticky adhesive easy to recycle
Seventy-year search for simpler route to valuable reactive intermediate ends
DNA barcodes can make drug discovery screens miss potential medicines
Lanthanide–carbon triple bond synthesised and characterised
Recasting the role of oxidants in methane pyrolysis
‘Microlightning’ released by peeling tape can drive chemical reactions
Bacterium engineered to produce paracetamol from plastic bottle waste
Two more European crackers to close
Sabic will not reopen UK plant and Dow will close another in Germany
Will HIV prevention get where it’s needed?
Gilead and its partners’ efforts to distribute generic lenacapavir could be derailed by cuts in international aid budgets
Getting good at human tasks
Fatal explosion and fire at Indian pharmaceutical ingredients plant
11 executives jailed over Italian PFAS pollution
US approves twice yearly injection to prevent HIV
Good network connections help startup founders and employees to succeed
Contemporary chemistry owes a lot to benzene's beginnings
The startups that grew out of the Pfizer redundancies
The fungal source of Titian’s rich reds
Laccaic acid, thought to be produced by lac insects, is produced by a symbiont similar to the zombie ant fungus
In search of the alchemists of Prague
A city where chemistry lurks almost anywhere you look
Getting good at human tasks
’What do you mean you had to lock the NMR with an oscilloscope and shim the magnet by hand?’
Ponnadurai Ramasami: ‘You will learn more by going the more difficult way’
The trailblazing computational chemist on the joys of teaching, inaugurating a virtual conference, and the importance of doing things the hard way
Helping remote schools be in their element
The element sets now found in over half of Australian high schools
Letters: July 2025
Readers ponder polymorphs, period products, PFAS and more
Chemistry's capital C
From refinery scale to a nanosecond existence, carbon is everywhere – in life as well as chemistry
Contemporary chemistry owes a lot to benzene's beginnings
Celebrating what started when Faraday found the molecule with no end
Forensic taphonomy: the chemistry of delivering justice
Join forensic experts on 22 July to discover the chemical processes that occur after death and how they’re revolutionising criminal investigations
Modelling amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) release mechanisms
Learn how thermodynamic modelling and molecular simulation can help our understanding of amorphous solid dispersion
Accelerating chemical synthesis: digital innovations from lab to industrial scale
Explore how digital chemistry is advancing synthetic chemical development and enhancing innovation
In conversation with Melanie Sanford
Join us for an exclusive live interview with renowned chemist Melanie Sanford
News
Researcher severely injured in 2016 Hawaii lab explosion receives £5 million settlement
Thea Ekins-Coward lost an arm in an experiment with unsafe apparatus
Opinion
The fungal source of Titian’s rich reds
Laccaic acid, thought to be produced by lac insects, is produced by a symbiont similar to the zombie ant fungus
News
Chemistry for the visually impaired that can be felt, heard and smelt
The Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, recently brought chemistry alive for students with sight loss
Opinion
Getting good at human tasks
’What do you mean you had to lock the NMR with an oscilloscope and shim the magnet by hand?’
Sponsored
We need to build the data that chemistry deserves - here’s how we can do it
Creating a purpose-built repository of standardised reaction data is a tall order, but the reward would be huge
Free energy methods and digital transformation of drug discovery
Synergistic application of AI-based generative chemistry and free energy methods streamlines molecule discovery and optimisation
Accelerating chemical synthesis: digital innovations from lab to industrial scale
Explore how digital chemistry is advancing synthetic chemical development and enhancing innovation
Design of experiments: Smarter methods, better results
Delve into this two part workshop and discover a better way to experiment
How AI is transforming chemistry research
Artificial intelligence is revolutionising everything from workflows to networking - so how can you bring AI into your research practice?
Pittcon: over 75 years of supporting science
The legacy of passion and purpose that makes Pittcon a one-of-a-kind event
Setting new standards for British laboratories
Lab Innovations brings together experts from all corners of the industry
AstraZeneca synthetic chemistry prize winner celebrates ‘culmination of a high-quality academia-industry collaboration’
Ruth Webster from University of Cambridge wins 2024 AstraZeneca prize in synthetic chemistry for her work on iron catalysis
How to excel at public speaking
A five-step approach to present effectively
Good network connections help startup founders and employees to succeed
Career success is easier with help from others
The startups that grew out of the Pfizer redundancies
18 months on, three former Pfizer employees explain how they’ve seized opportunities to fill gaps in the market
Choosing the right mentor
Taking part in a mentoring programme can provide you with the support you need for career success
First-generation graduate chemists face challenges throughout their entire academic lifetime
Nurturing socioeconomic inclusion for a brighter tomorrow
Careers in science policy
The art of failing forward
Can scientific curiosity and pressure to work long hours be balanced with well-being?
Time off for menstruation is a good idea. Period.