Chemistry World
@chemistryworld.com
Chemistry: Covered. The latest news, research, features and opinion from across the chemical sciences. Published by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
https://www.chemistryworld.com/
https://www.chemistryworld.com/
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) say that while 1,3-butadiene could pose health risks to industrial workers, it's not a problem for the environment or those in close proximity to facilities using the chemical. Rebecca Trager reports.
EPA delivers mixed finding on carcinogenic rubber ingredient
US environmental agency says 1,3-butadiene is harmful for some industry workers, but not for the environment or those living near plants using it
www.chemistryworld.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:16 PM
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) say that while 1,3-butadiene could pose health risks to industrial workers, it's not a problem for the environment or those in close proximity to facilities using the chemical. Rebecca Trager reports.
Iupac starts 2026 with a new president, as Mary Garson takes the helm at chemistry's international body.
Iupac welcomes new year in with a new president
International chemistry nomenclature organisation to be headed by Mary Garson
www.chemistryworld.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Iupac starts 2026 with a new president, as Mary Garson takes the helm at chemistry's international body.
Unable to answer any questions, 14-year-old Christina Rappl tried to copy from a friend’s chemistry test out of desperation. Her teacher’s response fostered a love and understanding for the subject that has led her to a master’s degree and dreams of a career in chemistry.
Why failing my first chemistry test was the best thing that ever happened to me
Lost in reactions, but driven by curiosity - how a supportive teacher enabled me to find my way to a career in science
www.chemistryworld.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:05 AM
Unable to answer any questions, 14-year-old Christina Rappl tried to copy from a friend’s chemistry test out of desperation. Her teacher’s response fostered a love and understanding for the subject that has led her to a master’s degree and dreams of a career in chemistry.
The journal Environmental Health Perspectives has been saved by the American Chemical Society after the Trump administration cut its funding.
Leading environmental health journal defunded by Trump administration has been saved
The American Chemical Society will now publish Environmental Health Perspectives
www.chemistryworld.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:26 PM
The journal Environmental Health Perspectives has been saved by the American Chemical Society after the Trump administration cut its funding.
Jennifer Kingston normally takes satisfaction from her team's successes. Now it's time to celebrate her, as her work developing techniques for drug discovery and an apprenticeship programme has won her the RSC's Technical Excellence Prize.
Building the future of separation science
Jennifer Kingston was awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry's Technical Excellence Prize, which honours the vital role of technical staff in the chemical sciences community
www.chemistryworld.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Jennifer Kingston normally takes satisfaction from her team's successes. Now it's time to celebrate her, as her work developing techniques for drug discovery and an apprenticeship programme has won her the RSC's Technical Excellence Prize.
Plastic recyclers in Europe and the US are facing a perfect storm – cheap virgin polymers and low penalties mean there is low demand for recyclates, while high costs encourage export of waste to less stringently regulated countries.
Plastic recycling is contracting when it needs to grow
High costs, oversupply of virgin polymers and complex political environment are challenging industry
www.chemistryworld.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Plastic recyclers in Europe and the US are facing a perfect storm – cheap virgin polymers and low penalties mean there is low demand for recyclates, while high costs encourage export of waste to less stringently regulated countries.
It's been 1 year since Donald Trump returned as US president. Many of the worst fears that scientists had about his government have been borne out with science agencies cut, universities targeted and grants cancelled.
One year on, Trump’s second term has upended US science
Fears that the president's return to the White House would seriously damage science agencies and universities have been borne out
www.chemistryworld.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:35 PM
It's been 1 year since Donald Trump returned as US president. Many of the worst fears that scientists had about his government have been borne out with science agencies cut, universities targeted and grants cancelled.
Why do those closest to Trump's science policies have nothing to say about them? That's the question @rebeccatrager99 asks after a year of following what's happening to the nation's research base.
Some voices conspicuously silent when it comes to Trump’s science policies
Research-intensive universities have been targeted in an unprecedented and unrelenting manner since Donald Trump retook the White House on 20 January. In April, nearly a third of the 6000-plus members...
www.chemistryworld.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Why do those closest to Trump's science policies have nothing to say about them? That's the question @rebeccatrager99 asks after a year of following what's happening to the nation's research base.
Applications close on 12 January (that's next Monday) – don't miss the chance to further your sci-comm career by working with our team.
Digital Content Assistant
Circa: Salary - Salary Plan, 30,291.00 GBP Annual Join the Royal Society of Chemistry’s flagship magazine, Chemistry World, as Digital Content Assistant where you will support the delivery of high-qua...
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January 7, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Applications close on 12 January (that's next Monday) – don't miss the chance to further your sci-comm career by working with our team.
As the cost of lithium rises, chemists have developed a simple mechanochemical way to make organosodium reagents – alternatives to ubiquitous organolithium ones.
Ball-milled sodium provides easy access to organometallic reagent
Solvent-free organosodium is a promising alternative to lithium reagents
www.chemistryworld.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:20 AM
As the cost of lithium rises, chemists have developed a simple mechanochemical way to make organosodium reagents – alternatives to ubiquitous organolithium ones.
Towards the end of 2025, we reported that seven years after Dawn Sturgess died from exposure to a Novichok nerve agent, the inquiry into her death had reported back.
Public inquiry into death of Dawn Sturgess from Novichok poisoning concludes
Report makes numerous findings on how nerve agent concealed in perfume bottle lead to tragedy
www.chemistryworld.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Towards the end of 2025, we reported that seven years after Dawn Sturgess died from exposure to a Novichok nerve agent, the inquiry into her death had reported back.
Just as chemists harness hydrogen bonds when designing organocatalysts, researchers have started using halogen bonds to promote a variety of reactions.
How chemists are harnessing halogen bonds for asymmetric synthesis
Chiral control through halogen bonding could be the next frontier for organocatalysis
www.chemistryworld.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Just as chemists harness hydrogen bonds when designing organocatalysts, researchers have started using halogen bonds to promote a variety of reactions.
The UK's Medical Research Centre is hoping to speed up clinical trials with a £50m investment in a centre that will employ 'multi-arm multi-stage' trials.
New £50 million centre aims to shake up clinical trials in the UK
Initiative should speed up testing of new medicines
www.chemistryworld.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:48 AM
The UK's Medical Research Centre is hoping to speed up clinical trials with a £50m investment in a centre that will employ 'multi-arm multi-stage' trials.
Chemists have been trying to synthesise natural products in the lab for around two centuries. Nina Notman looks at what the future holds – and what the field is up against in terms of a variety of obstacles.
The future of total synthesis
From structure confirmation to methodology improvements, making complex natural products has driven innovation in organic synthesis for decades. Nina Notman looks at its current state, with threats from funding to academic pressures
www.chemistryworld.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Chemists have been trying to synthesise natural products in the lab for around two centuries. Nina Notman looks at what the future holds – and what the field is up against in terms of a variety of obstacles.
Several chemists were recognised in the UK's New Year's Honours list for 2026.
Scientists recognised in 2026 New Year’s Honours list
Chemists receive awards for work on nuclear waste management, forensics, sustainability and promotion of inclusion and diversity
www.chemistryworld.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Several chemists were recognised in the UK's New Year's Honours list for 2026.
Last year, several preprints were released showcasing new agentic frameworks for doing computational and quantum chemistry. Julia Robinson speaks to the researchers behind Aitomia and others to understand how computational chemistry is entering a new era.
AI agents set to democratise computational chemistry
Large language models are powering a new generation of AI agents that could transform computational chemistry from a specialist discipline into one any researcher can use, reports Julia Robinson
www.chemistryworld.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Last year, several preprints were released showcasing new agentic frameworks for doing computational and quantum chemistry. Julia Robinson speaks to the researchers behind Aitomia and others to understand how computational chemistry is entering a new era.
Democratising science has many different meanings, and AI is the latest in a long line of tools, methods and technologies claimed to do so, explains Vanessa Seifert.
Democratising science, one step at a time
Artifical intelligence is just the latest method to open up chemistry to more people
www.chemistryworld.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Democratising science has many different meanings, and AI is the latest in a long line of tools, methods and technologies claimed to do so, explains Vanessa Seifert.
Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry has shown that aristolochic acids can be transmitted by air, through the pollen of Aristolochia plants.
An airborne exposure route for a serious kidney disease
Linking Aristolochia plants to aristolochic acid nephropathy
www.chemistryworld.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry has shown that aristolochic acids can be transmitted by air, through the pollen of Aristolochia plants.
Meet the electrochemist heading up Aria's geoengineering programme.
Aria for chemist who wants to tackle key challenge of our age
Chemistry World spoke to Mark Symes, an electrochemist heading up Aria's geoengineering programme
www.chemistryworld.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Meet the electrochemist heading up Aria's geoengineering programme.
You probably know more about the Maillard reaction than you realise. Want to double-down before you get the oven one? Enter this article from November 2018, to the rescue.
The marvellous Maillard reaction
Andy Extance looks at the culinary reaction cascade that goes beyond Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner and has worrying links to health
www.chemistryworld.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:03 PM
You probably know more about the Maillard reaction than you realise. Want to double-down before you get the oven one? Enter this article from November 2018, to the rescue.
The question of how to cook a turkey properly has been a debate for as long as turkeys have been wandering around with dangly bits (on their faces – known as a 'snood'). Enter Chris Loss with all the essential info!
Why science says you should brine your Christmas turkey
Unlock the flavour hidden in your roast with this delicious recipe
www.chemistryworld.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The question of how to cook a turkey properly has been a debate for as long as turkeys have been wandering around with dangly bits (on their faces – known as a 'snood'). Enter Chris Loss with all the essential info!
January gave us the hunt for the male contraceptive pill, while in June we looked at how magnetic stirrers affect results. Back in November, we explored the chemistry of port. All this and more in our 2025 review!
2025 in review | Chemistry World
Our favourite stories from 2025
www.chemistryworld.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
January gave us the hunt for the male contraceptive pill, while in June we looked at how magnetic stirrers affect results. Back in November, we explored the chemistry of port. All this and more in our 2025 review!
Low-cost gelling agents improve the performance of aircraft anti-icing fluids.
Supramolecular gels improve performance of aircraft deicing fluids
Made using low-cost reagents, the gels could be more sustainable than current anti-icing products
www.chemistryworld.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Low-cost gelling agents improve the performance of aircraft anti-icing fluids.
Back in 2019, Raychelle Burks served up her signature take on a Christmas crime...along with a healthy dose of physics.
How to break up a Christmas party
Did a thrown glass shard fell a festive partygoer, or was he stabbed?
www.chemistryworld.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Back in 2019, Raychelle Burks served up her signature take on a Christmas crime...along with a healthy dose of physics.
A new analysis of international scientific collaborations suggests that US dominance in the global research ecosystem is waning.
www.chemistryworld.com/news/us-infl...
www.chemistryworld.com/news/us-infl...
US influence on international research partnerships in decline
Analysis of co-authorship data identifies trends in scientific collaboration
www.chemistryworld.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:57 AM
A new analysis of international scientific collaborations suggests that US dominance in the global research ecosystem is waning.
www.chemistryworld.com/news/us-infl...
www.chemistryworld.com/news/us-infl...