Latest
Research
Negotiations to create a global plastic pollution treaty collapse again
Geneva meeting descends into chaos with hastily revised treaty text rejected by member states
![Cyclo[48]carbon [4]catenane](https://d2cbg94ubxgsnp.cloudfront.net/Pictures/100x67/4/6/3/542463_indexady6054_articlecontent_v2_18june3_70174.jpg)
Feature
The chemistry of fear
Recent advances in measurement techniques have shed light on the different roles of various biomolecules during frightening and stressful situations. Anna Demming looks at how it may lead to new therapeutic interventions for conditions like PTSD
Feature
How atomic weights change with scientific understanding
Why do the atomic weights on the periodic table keep changing? Kit Chapman meets the team behind the decimal places
Opinion
Quantum deception attempts turning water into wine
The effect lasts only a few picoseconds but demonstrates a way to manipulate the optical properties of materials
Research
Nobelium becomes heaviest element with identified compounds
Complexes containing hydroxide, water and dinitrogen ligands detected as researchers probe chemistry on the edge of the actinide series
News
How the extraordinary science of everyday items is bringing chemistry to the public
Three analytical chemists explain how turning powerful techniques towards ordinary objects inspires public engagement with science
Negotiations to create a global plastic pollution treaty collapse again
Geneva meeting descends into chaos with hastily revised treaty text rejected by member states
![Cyclo[48]carbon [4]catenane](https://d2cbg94ubxgsnp.cloudfront.net/Pictures/460x307/4/6/3/542463_indexady6054_articlecontent_v2_18june3_70174.jpg)
Ring of pure carbon stabilised by its catenane connections
C48 carbon allotrope can be isolated in solution
Scientists turn to candles to make complex multi-metal nanoparticles
Molecular motor stitches together catenane rings
New adhesive is so sticky it can glue a rubber duck to a seaside rock
Rule-breaking reaction unlocks a new level for photoredox catalysis
Recoded E. coli strain shows that life can function with significantly compressed genetic code
Low lithium levels linked to Alzheimer’s
Nobelium becomes heaviest element with identified compounds
The challenge of developing oral alternatives to peptide weight loss drugs
Companies are racing to develop alternatives to injectable diabetes and weight loss drugs
Cheap virgin plastic limits recycling potential
Global plastic treaty negotiations risk being derailed by minority opposed to production caps
Chemours ordered to immediately limit PFAS emissions into Ohio River
US government cancels mRNA vaccine research
‘Creative destruction’ in the chemistry lab
Merck & Co to cut 6000 jobs, Moderna to cut around 500
DuPont and spin-offs settle with New Jersey over PFAS contamination
Intergovernmental panel on chemicals, waste and pollution needs diverse input
US EPA accused of skewing soil testing data after East Palestine disaster
Cheap virgin plastic limits recycling potential
Global plastic treaty negotiations risk being derailed by minority opposed to production caps
Quantum deception attempts turning water into wine
The effect lasts only a few picoseconds but demonstrates a way to manipulate the optical properties of materials
I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten the words
The challenges of learning chemistry in your non-native language
‘Creative destruction’ in the chemistry lab
Some obsolete lab equipment is quickly replaced, while other items are stubbornly persistent. What modern tech will survive to the 2060s?
Intergovernmental panel on chemicals, waste and pollution needs diverse input
Balancing industrial expertise against unwanted commercial influence is not easy but shouldn’t be discounted
Wordle meets the periodic table: Five games to test your chemistry knowledge
Love Wordle and chemistry? Combine the two with these daily chemistry-themed word games
Letters: August 2025
Readers continue celebrating benzene and debating the use of glyphosate
Learning about chemistry in prenatal class
Opportunities for infographics to contribute to health literacy
Women’s health: insights in research and inclusion
Learn about the history and importance of the gender gap currently impacting women’s health sciences – Join us on 28 August
Forensic taphonomy: the chemistry of delivering justice
Join us to discover the chemical processes that occur after death and how they’re revolutionising criminal investigations
Modelling amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) release mechanisms
Learn how thermodynamic modelling and molecular simulation can help our understanding of amorphous solid dispersion
Accelerating chemical synthesis: digital innovations from lab to industrial scale
Explore how digital chemistry is advancing synthetic chemical development and enhancing innovation
Opinion
I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten the words
The challenges of learning chemistry in your non-native language
Careers
How to use an individual development plan to advance your career
Four steps to assess your current position and set your goals
Business
Merck & Co to cut 6000 jobs, Moderna to cut around 500
Both firms aiming to make significant reductions in annual costs by reorganising
Careers
The additional costs of visas
On top of the financial expense, applications and renewals are slowing scientific progress and damaging researcher mental health
News
How the extraordinary science of everyday items is bringing chemistry to the public
Three analytical chemists explain how turning powerful techniques towards ordinary objects inspires public engagement with science
Sponsored
We need to build the data that chemistry deserves - here’s how we can do it
Creating a purpose-built repository of standardised reaction data is a tall order, but the reward would be huge
Free energy methods and digital transformation of drug discovery
Synergistic application of AI-based generative chemistry and free energy methods streamlines molecule discovery and optimisation
Accelerating chemical synthesis: digital innovations from lab to industrial scale
Explore how digital chemistry is advancing synthetic chemical development and enhancing innovation
Design of experiments: Smarter methods, better results
Delve into this two part workshop and discover a better way to experiment
How AI is transforming chemistry research
Artificial intelligence is revolutionising everything from workflows to networking - so how can you bring AI into your research practice?
Pittcon: over 75 years of supporting science
The legacy of passion and purpose that makes Pittcon a one-of-a-kind event
Setting new standards for British laboratories
Lab Innovations brings together experts from all corners of the industry
AstraZeneca synthetic chemistry prize winner celebrates ‘culmination of a high-quality academia-industry collaboration’
Ruth Webster from University of Cambridge wins 2024 AstraZeneca prize in synthetic chemistry for her work on iron catalysis
How to use an individual development plan to advance your career
Four steps to assess your current position and set your goals
The additional costs of visas
On top of the financial expense, applications and renewals are slowing scientific progress and damaging researcher mental health
Even in difficult times, leaders should inspire hope
Finding positives is a vital part of leadership
How I became the crossword compiler for Chemistry World
Paul Board has been setting Chemistry World’s crosswords for over 15 years. To celebrate the centenary of the (fully) cryptic crossword, he explains his crossword setting process and dissects some of his favourite science-based clues
How to organise a conference
How to excel at public speaking
Good network connections help startup founders and employees to succeed
The startups that grew out of the Pfizer redundancies
Choosing the right mentor
First-generation graduate chemists face challenges throughout their entire academic lifetime