Physical Science:
Yesterday, I discussed octenol, a lipid degradation product that's all over your skin. Ever wonder why a cut on your hand smells "like metal," or your hands smell "like metal" after handling some?...
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Posted on September 9, 2008 9:00 AM • 2 Comments •
The other day, I was trying to hunt down a tool for the lab. The closest store with any decent complement of tools is one of those big-box stores, so off I went. Unfortunately, I tend to get distracted in...
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Posted on September 8, 2008 8:15 PM • 0 Comments •
Potassium chlorate, KClO3, is quite oxygen-dense and a potent oxidant. It is used in what we called "whippersnappers" and the suppliers called "Pop-Pops" as kids, along with silver fulminate. There is a singular irony in that the wimpiest firework, the...
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Posted on August 27, 2008 11:10 PM • 5 Comments •
Sarin is an organophosphate that irreversibly inhibits cholinesterase. it's a neurotoxin, and a potent one. It'd be absolutely terrifying as a weapon, if it weren't so unstable. Even if a rogue state had gobs of Sarin last year, it's all...
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Posted on August 25, 2008 10:46 PM • 10 Comments •
Short alkanoic acids stink. Apparently hexanoic acid smells of goats:...
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Posted on August 21, 2008 11:23 PM • 1 Comments •
Sodium borohydride is intermediate to the jackhammer that is LAH and the pussycat that is cyanoborohydride....
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Posted on August 19, 2008 9:40 PM • 3 Comments •
Trying to think of a molecule tonight, my friend suggested "pick an ugly one no one wants anymore...a clearance rack molecule." I immediately went to chlorinated solvents. They're in the backwater now, right? Carbon tetrachloride sure has a bad rep....
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Posted on August 13, 2008 11:11 PM • 12 Comments •
Pyrene is a simple, four-fused benzene PAH:...
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Posted on August 11, 2008 10:37 PM • 3 Comments •
I love reading lists of fragrance chemicals. The assignment of pleasant, qualitative fragrance descriptions to chemicals with hard-nosed, rigorous functional group names always makes me giggle a little. Acetophenone, for instance, smells of orange blossoms. Today, I came across one...
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Posted on August 7, 2008 8:26 PM • 2 Comments •
Erythorbic acid is a common food additive:...
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Posted on August 4, 2008 8:01 PM • 1 Comments •
Molecules: You'd better learn to live with them.
