Chemistry in its element

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