Hayley Birch discovers the compound that links explosive anaesthetics, plastics and ripe bananas: Ethene

Lactose intolerance leads to unpleasant and antisocial symptoms. Lars Öhrström finds out why

Simon Cotton investigates tetrahydrogestrinone (THG), a designer steroid that sparked a sporting scandal

Brian Clegg meets a simple organic compound with a reputation for being something of a bruiser

Simon Cotton looks back at the history of one of our favourite painkillers, paracetamol

Helen Scales finds out how unique toxins found in deadly cone snail stings could herald the next generation of painkillers

Brian Clegg explains how the versatile compound boron nitride may be 'the best kept secret in all of chemistry'

A popular way to weed out unwanted pest plants, Jen Newton introduces Glyphosate

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.