This "Fuels for Spacecraft" infographic explains how rockets launch and move through space. The left side covers "Getting Off the Ground," detailing solid propellants like ammonium perchlorate and aluminum powder used in boosters, and liquid propellants like liquid oxygen and hydrogen used in main engines. The right side explores "Propulsion in Space," highlighting chemical propulsion via hydrazine decomposition, electric ion propulsion using xenon, and solar sails.

With #Artemis II blasting off to the Moon, here's a look at the different fuels used to get rockets off of the ground in this edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/physical-che...

"Today in Chemistry History" commemorating Robert Bunsen’s birthday on March 31. It features a portrait of Bunsen (1811–1899) and notes his discovery of caesium and rubidium. A central diagram labels the parts of a Bunsen burner: the blue flame, the barrel, the fuel source (methane), the collar for air adjustment, and the air hole. It explains that a closed collar creates a yellow safety flame, while an open collar produces a hot, blue roaring flame for heating.

Robert Bunsen was born #OTD in 1811 🎂

The eponymous Bunsen burner was actually constructed for Bunsen by instrument maker Peter Desaga.

The burner was essential to the discovery of caesium and rubidium through their emission spectra.

www.compoundchem.com/2023/03/31/b...

An infographic titled "The Chemistry of Spinach" explores iron content, vitamin A, and the "spinach teeth" sensation. It compares spinach to sirloin steak, noting that while spinach has more iron (2.6mg vs 2.5mg per 100g), only 1.7% is absorbed compared to 20% from steak. Low absorption is attributed to polyphenols. It highlights spinach as a source of beta-carotene and explains that "spinach teeth" are caused by oxalic acid reacting with calcium to form insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.

On #NationalSpinachDay, this graphic looks at the real story behind spinach’s iron content: www.compoundchem.com/2018/07/17/s...

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This "Aroma Chemistry" infographic explains why wet dogs smell. It features an image of a terrier and diagrams showing that microorganisms in dog hair produce volatile organic compounds, which water then liberates into the air. The graphic identifies ten specific compounds that increase in concentration when hair is wet, including benzaldehyde (almond-like), p-cresol (faecal), and dimethyl trisulfide (sulfurous). Conversely, it notes that hexanal and heptanal concentrations decrease when wet.

Today is #NationalPuppyDay 🐶 If you’ve ever wondered why wet dogs smell so funky, learn about the biochemistry behind it in this graphic! www.compoundchem.com/2015/07/28/w...

An infographic titled "The Chemistry of Daffodils" by Compound Interest for C&EN explains the flower's biological makeup. It features a bouquet of yellow daffodils and three main sections. The Aroma section highlights (E)-beta-ocimene for its woody scent, plus 1,4-dimethoxybenzene and (E,E)-alpha-farnesene. The Color section identifies carotenoids like zeaxanthin and beta-carotene. The Poison & Medicine section shows the toxic alkaloid lycorine and galantamine, used to treat Alzheimer's.

Spring is here in the northern hemisphere! Here's a graphic from the #PeriodicGraphic archives in @cenmag.bsky.social looking at the pigments that give daffodils their golden glow: cen.acs.org/articles/93/...

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Infographic on how plastic is recycled. The graphic shows the mass of different plastic types produced in kilograms and the percentage of this mass that is recycled according to the US EPA. It also illustrates how plastics are sorted by type with a variety of techniques before washing, separation from contaminants, then drying and pelletisation.

How are plastics recycled and how do the recycling rates of different plastics compare? This 2012 edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social takes a look: cen.acs.org/environment/...

A graphic that describes the structure, composition, and application of crystalline materials called metal-organic frameworks or MOFs.

Researchers investigating metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics by @compoundchem.com takes a look at four promising applications of MOFs: cen.acs.org/materials/me...

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The nitrogen is added – so not a natural fermentation product

Infographic on the chemistry of Guinness. It details how a mix of carbon dioxide and nitrogen is responsible for the bubbles, iso-alpha-acids are responsible for bitterness, and melanoidins are responsible for the beer's dark colour.

Happy #StPatricksDay! ☘️

If you’ve ever wondered why the bubbles in Guinness appear to fall instead on rising, or what gives the beer its dark colour, check out this edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/articles/93/...

Infographic on the chemistry of diamond rings. The four c's of diamonds are highlight: cut, colour, clarity and carat. Metals used in diamond rings are also highlighted.

It's #NationalProposalDay 💍 There's more to diamonds than meets the eye; this graphic highlights the hidden chemistry: www.compoundchem.com/2015/12/15/d...

There are also seven previous editions of this series available here, along with graphics on contemporary women in chemistry: www.compoundchem.com/category/wom... #InternationalWomensDay

Photo of a comment which reads “You must be kidding! So, Maria Curie-Sklodowska being twice the Nobel Prize winner does not qualify?”

Every single year

Infographic highlighting the contributions of twelve women in chemistry history. Full alt-text available at the link in the post.

On #InternationalWomensDay, here's another edition of Women in Chemistry History. This edition features women whose achievements in chemistry include the creation of synthetic emeralds, the impact of diet on intelligence and health, and more: www.compoundchem.com/2026/03/08/i...

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Iran war threatens global helium supply Attacks on Qatar and the Strait of Hormuz remove one-third of the world’s helium from the market

The war in Iran has taken one-third of the world’s helium supply off the market. And if the conflict continues for more than 2 weeks, disruption for helium users could take months to resolve.

#chemsky 🧪

An infographic titled "The Chemistry of Mulled Wine" explores key chemical compounds in holiday ingredients. It features a central wine bottle surrounded by seven panels. Each panel identifies an ingredient, a key chemical, a molecular structure, and a brief description. Featured pairings include: orange (limonene), lemon (citric acid), sugar (sucrose), wine (ethanol), cloves (eugenol), nutmeg (sabinene), and cinnamon (cinnamaldehyde) for aroma and flavour profiles.

It's #NationalMulledWineDay (no, I don't know why it's in March of all months), so here's a look at some of the key chemicals in this warming drink's components: www.compoundchem.com/2014/12/16/m...

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This infographic titled "Crocuses, Saffron & Poisonous Imposters" explores the chemistry and botany of crocuses. It explains that saffron comes from Crocus sativus, which contains the deep red pigment crocin. While yellow petals contain carotenoids, purple petals contain anthocyanins like delphinidin. It warns that Colchicum autumnale, also called "autumn crocus," is a toxic lookalike containing colchicine, a dangerous alkaloid that can cause organ failure but is also used to treat gout.

It’s spring in the northern hemisphere and the crocuses are blooming. Find out more about their colours and poisonous lookalikes in this graphic: www.compoundchem.com/2022/03/15/c...

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They did indeed – it’s mentioned in the bottom section of the graphic.

Today in Chemistry History infographic on Henri Becquerel and the discovery of radioactivity. In late February 1896, Henri Becquerel was experimenting with phosphorescent uranium salt crystals which glow for a time after exposure to sunlight. He placed the crystals on photographic paper, and saw that a black shadow was visible where the crystals were when the paper was developed. He initially thought the crystals were emitting X-rays when exposed to sunlight. However, on leaving the crystals on the paper in a dark cupboard during overcast days, he found shadows were still visible on the developed paper, and that the process was independent of sunlight. Marie Curie coined the term “radiation” in 1898.

Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity #OTD in 1896, and later shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Pierre and Marie Curie for the discovery.

See more chemistry history graphics here: www.compoundchem.com/this-day-in-...

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Infographic for element 107, Bohrium, symbol Bh, atomic number 107 and mass 270. The element was named after physicist Niels Bohr and created by German scientists. Bohrium was the first element made by colliding two nuclei in a low-excitation energy reaction. Its longest-lived isotope has a half-life of about one minute. Bohrium has no uses outside of research.

#OTD in 1981, German scientists observed the first atom of element 107, bohrium, in Darmstadt, Germany.

Bohrium is named after physicist Niels Bohr, who developed the Bohr model of the atom.

Bohrium's most stable isotope has a half-life of around a minute, so it has no uses outside of research.

Infographic titled “The 2026 Winter Olympics medals” shows gold, silver and bronze medals with ribbons. Gold medal value is $1,938 / £1,437 and is 500 g silver with 6 g gold plating. Silver medal value is $1,003 / £744 and is 500 g of 99.9% silver. Bronze medal value is $5.13 / £3.81 and is 420 g copper. Text notes medals use recycled metals from the Italian State Mint and have protective coatings.

As the Winter Olympics draw to a close, what are the medals that the top athletes will be taking home made of? This graphic takes a look and also highlights the values of each medal: www.compoundchem.com/2026/02/22/w...

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This infographic explains Polaroid chemistry. It shows how three silver bromide (AgBr) layers react to blue, green, and red light. When light hits AgBr, silver ions form. Potassium hydroxide deprotonates hydroquinone-linked dyes (yellow, magenta, cyan). In unexposed areas, these dyes diffuse upward to form the image. In exposed areas, silver ions oxidize the hydroquinone, locking the dye in place. Finally, an acid polymer neutralizes the base to stabilize the photo.

The first public display of instant photography took place #OTD in 1947. Here's a #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social that looks at the chemistry behind polaroid images: cen.acs.org/materials/Pe...

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Infographic titled “How do antiviral nasal sprays work?” shows a nasal spray bottle centered between panels explaining mechanisms, effectiveness, and side effects. Left panel describes polymer gel barriers like HPMC and carrageenan that trap viruses, block spike proteins, and acidic pH buffers that suppress viruses. Middle notes saline sprays may form hypochlorous acid. Right panel cites a 2024 trial showing sprays reduced average sick days versus usual care, with mild side effects such as headache, sinus pain, and sneezing.

Can antiviral sprays spare you from the flu? And how do they claim to work? In the latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social, we examine the evidence: cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic...

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An infographic titled "The Chemistry of Poisonous Frogs" explains how these amphibians acquire and survive their own toxins. It identifies over 800 alkaloid compounds, like batrachotoxin, which frogs derive from eating ants and mites rather than synthesizing them. A Golden Poison Frog carries enough toxin to kill ten humans by jamming open sodium ion channels, causing cardiac arrest. Frogs avoid self-poisoning through a genetic mutation replacing asparagine with threonine.

Frog toxins are in the news with the evidence that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was posioned with epibatidine. Here's more on frog toxins and how poisonous frogs avoid poisoning themselves: www.compoundchem.com/2017/09/26/p...

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An infographic titled "Compositions of UK Coins" details the metallic makeup of British currency. The £2 coin features a bi-metal design with a copper-zinc-nickel outer ring and a copper-nickel inner circle. The £1 coin shows pre-2017 compositions and notes the 2017 shift to a twelve-sided bi-metal design. The 50p and 20p coins are copper-nickel alloys, with the 50p having been resized in 1997. The 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p coins all transitioned from copper-based alloys to plated steel in 2011 and 1992.

This day in 1971 was #DecimalDay, when UK currency switched from the old pounds, shillings and pence to the current decimal coinage. This graphic examines the compositions of the coins currently in circulation and how they've changed over the years: www.compoundchem.com/2014/03/27/t...

An infographic titled "Valentine’s Day Chemistry" explores the molecules behind love. It features pink chemical structures for dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline, and oxytocin. Dopamine is linked to pleasure, while serotonin levels decrease, potentially causing obsession. Adrenaline increases heart rate and excitement. Oxytocin, the "cuddle hormone," fosters trust.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Here are some of the molecules of love ❤️ www.compoundchem.com/2023/02/13/v...

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This infographic titled "The Women of the Periodic Table" highlights ten women and their contributions to element discovery. A central periodic table marks specific elements in green and orange, with lines connecting them to names and portraits. Featured scientists include Marie Curie (polonium, radium), Marguerite Perey (francium), and Clarice Phelps (tennessine). It traces history from early pioneers like Harriet Brooks to modern teams including Dawn Shaughnessy and Darleane Hoffman.

Today is the #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience 👩‍🔬 This graphic highlights women of the periodic table, the elements they discovered, and the two elements named after women.

Plenty more graphics on women in chemistry here: www.compoundchem.com/category/wom...

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This five-panel infographic looks at various naturally occurring toxins found in some vegetables. The first panel discusses solanine, a compound found in green potatoes that can cause gastrointestinal upset. The second panel features cucurbitacins, bitter compounds found in gourds such as pumpkins and zucchini; high amounts of these compounds cause vomiting and diarrhea. The third panel features furanocoumarins, which are found in parsnips and celery leaves and can cause phytophotodermatitis when in contact with the skin. The fourth panel looks at oxalic acid and anthraquinone glycosides, compounds that are found in rhubarb leaves and that make them toxic if eaten. The final panel features phytohemagglutinin, a protein found in high levels in uncooked kidney beans that, when eaten in high amounts, causes vomiting and diarrhea.

Today is #WorldPulsesDay and kidney beans feature in this edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social on toxins in common fruits and vegetables - did you know that uncooked kidney beans contain a toxin that can cause nausea and diarrhoea? cen.acs.org/biological-c...

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This infographic titled "The Chemistry of Dentistry" explores four key areas. It explains how bacteria produce propanoic and lactic acids from sugar to cause tooth decay. It shows how fluoride ions convert hydroxyapatite into acid-resistant fluorapatite. It details dental amalgams containing mercury, silver, tin, and copper, alongside composite resins like Bis-GMA. Finally, it covers whitening using hydrogen and carbamide peroxide.

Today is #NationalToothacheDay 🦷 This edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social looks at some of the chemistry behind a visit to the dentist's 🪥 cen.acs.org/articles/94/...

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"Today in Chemistry History" infographic marking Dmitri Mendeleev's birthday (8 Feb 1834). The graphic highlights the date of publication of Mendeleev's first periodic table (1869) and shows the elements that were known at that time and included in the table. It also shows the elements which had yet to be discovered which Mendeleev used his table to predict the properties of.

Dmitri Mendeleev was born #OTD (8 Feb) in 1834. He's known for recognising periodic patterns in the properties of elements, using these to predict the properties of undiscovered elements. And, of course, the periodic table! wp.me/p4aPLT-8UU

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This "Chemistry of Frozen Desserts" infographic by Compound Interest explores the science behind various treats. It illustrates a fat droplet's structure and lists typical ice cream composition as 50% air bubbles, 30% ice crystals, 15% liquid syrup, and 5% fat droplets. A comparison table shows fat content and "overrun" (incorporated air) for ice cream (10–20% fat), gelato (3–8% fat), soft serve (3–10% fat), and frozen yogurt (0.5–3% fat). It also notes sorbet has 0% fat while sherbet has 1%.

On #NationalFrozenYoghurtDay, check out how froyo compares chemically to other frozen desserts in this edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/articles/95/...

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