Chemistry Salicylic Acid

Everyday Compounds – Salicylic Acid

Chemistry Salicylic AcidThis is the first in a series of graphics planned to look at the chemistry and uses of some everyday chemical compounds you can find in a variety of products around your home. The series was inspired by conversation with @chemtacular on twitter, as well as the ongoing chemophobia discussion (about which you can read more here, and here). To kick off the series, this graphic takes a look at salicylic acid, and its uses in acne creams, shampoos, toothpastes and the synthesis of aspirin.

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Chemical Compounds in Herbs & Spices

Herbs & Spices Chemical Compounds
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[Now available to purchase as herb/spice jar labels here!]

It’s often stated that cooking is much like chemistry, or vice versa. I thought it’d be fun to take that a little further, and look at the major organic compounds present in various different herbs and spices that are frequently used in cooking, so that’s what this poster tries to do. Obviously, each herb or spice owes its precise flavour to the complex mix of organic compounds it is composed of, rather than one simple compound that can be isolated – however, some compounds contribute more than others, and it is these that I’ve tried to focus on here.

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Transition Metal Ion Colours Aqueous Complexes

Colours of Transition Metal Ions in Aqueous Solution

Transition Metal Ion Colours Aqueous Complexes

This graphic looks at the colours of transition metal ions when they are in aqueous solution (in water), and also looks at the reason why we see coloured compounds and complexes for transition metals. This helps explain, for example, why rust (iron oxide) is an orange colour, and why the Statue of Liberty, made of copper, is no longer the shiny, metallic orange of copper, but a pale green colour given by the compound copper carbonate.

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