In the UK, school chemistry departments found themselves unexpectedly hitting the headlines last week due to a chemical used in A level chemistry practicals. The chemical involved was 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) – so what is it and why the sudden spate of concern? This post and graphic takes a look at the chemical facts behind the stories.
Today the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Sir Fraser Stoddart, and Bernard Feringa for their work on the design and production of molecular machines with controllable movements. This graphic summarise the work that the prize was awarded for; for more detail, you can also head to the Nobel Prize committee’s own explanation.
There’s no ‘This Week in Chemistry’ this week, due to the Christmas period – but, with the year drawing to a close, it’s a good time to look back on some of the most significant chemistry research to hit the news in the past twelve months.
