Brian Clegg introduces a crystalline hydrocarbon that isn't as tough as it sounds, but is the basis of a wide range of medicines

On-demand muscle paralysis revolutionised surgery. Katrina Krämer explores one of the key muscle relaxants used in medical procedures: Pancuronium bromide

The Seveso accident saw an accidental release of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), commonly known as dioxin. Matt Gunther tells the tragic story.

With thoughts turning to our festively-expanded waistlines, Kit Chapman looks at a poster child in the battle against obesity

Eugenol, the smell most associated with cloves, may be one of the defining smells of Christmas, but it also leads a double life as fish anaesthetic and insect attractant...

This week, Neil Withers examines a compound with the 'wrong' number of bonds: Diborane

Jamie Durrani introduces one of the biggest selling pharmaceuticals in history, the 'mother's little helper': Diazepam

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