MOLECULES AT AN EXHIBITION (Gallery 1)

Emsley, John.  Molecules at an Exhibition: The Science of Everyday Life.  New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.

This book is 272 pages in length (paperback version published by Oxford University Press).  In this book, the author presents the interesting chemistry of some of the substances we encounter in everyday life.  He groups these chemicals in galleries, much like artwork is grouped in museum or gallery collections. This book grew out of a series of popular news articles written by the author featuring a “Molecule of the Month”.  In this book, however, the author is able to take liberty to provide more details on the chemistry and a broader perspective of the role that the chemical plays in familiar materials.

John Emsley lectured in chemistry for 25 years in the University of London and is the author of over a hundred research papers.  He has been a Science Writer in Residence in the Chemistry Department at the University of Cambridge.

For my notes, I am extracting interesting properties, chemistries, and anecdotes presented by the author for each compound featured and collect them in powerpoint slides.

GALLERY 1: NEARLY AS NATURE INTENDED

The following compounds are featured in this gallery:

• phenylethylamine in chocolate
• oxalic acid in rhubarb pie
• caffeine and phosphoric acid in Coca-Cola
• phosphoric acid in rust remover
• dipropenyl disulfide in garlic
• methyl mercaptan as a metabolite and odorizer in natural gas
• selenium in Chinese medicine
• salicylates in food and in aspirin
• phthalates in plastics