Latest
Research
In-situ electron microscopy probes how atoms adsorb on surfaces at solid–liquid interfaces
Technique could offer new insight into materials like catalysts, batteries and fuel cells
Feature
The curious case of disappearing polymorphs
From crystallographers’ beards to billion-dollar lawsuits, the phenomenon of disappearing polymorphs has puzzled chemists for decades. Now researchers are finally unravelling the science behind why stable crystal forms suddenly vanish – and discovering how to bring them back
Feature
New treatments offer hope for neglected snakebite victims
Nina Notman meets the scientists developing recombinant antivenoms and small molecule inhibitors to save the lives and limbs of snakebite patients, who number in the their hundreds of thousands
News
Chemists think they know what happened on board the Mary Celeste
While many theories have surfaced as to what caused a loaded ship to be devoid of its crew, could this explanation close the case?
Opinion
‘The truth is supremely valuable and we cannot lie our way to it’
As a scientist with family in Iran, Derek Lowe finds his own government’s approach to truth alarming
Research
The quest to understand where atoms end
Atomic size measurements like van der Waals and covalent radii are central to chemistry, but are they grounded in reality?
In-situ electron microscopy probes how atoms adsorb on surfaces at solid–liquid interfaces
Technique could offer new insight into materials like catalysts, batteries and fuel cells
Reliance on sacrificial agents misaligned with green hydrogen goals, scientists say
Call to rethink how photocatalytic hydrogen production is assessed and reported
Cooperative gallium bonds unlock zero-valent titanium and zirconium
Low-cost, energy-efficient process shows potential for electrochemical propene production
Inside-out peptides are part of a new class of isomerism
Water-based membrane waves through carbon dioxide, blocks other gases
More than half of all retracted papers are from China, analysis finds
Textiles with ‘water shield’ nano-coating can be cleaned without detergent
Scientists claim to have found the two types of water that explain the liquid’s oddness
Bursting bubbles break down PFAS
Mantisonix is using ultrasound to destroy fluorochemical pollutants in water
Gulf chemicals supply disruption will continue for months to years
Impact on petrochemicals, fertilisers and various co-products like helium and sulfur will ripple throughout extensive supply chains
The curious case of disappearing polymorphs
Innovative SMEs and start-ups can be the Change Makers we need to tackle PFAS
Iran ceasefire is the start of a long recovery process
India’s generic semaglutide surge
How to choose reactor materials and test for compatibility
How company presentations can be made relevant
‘The truth is supremely valuable and we cannot lie our way to it’
The scientific career clock in China
Age limits on funding and recruitment programmes place unhelpful pressures on early-career researchers
Iran ceasefire is the start of a long recovery process
Conflict’s impact on global energy and chemicals supply chains will take significantly longer to resolve
How my master’s reshaped my view on higher education chemistry
After three relentless undergraduate years, the fourth year provided space to immerse myself in the subject
US chemists worried by chilling effects of Trump’s second term
Researchers are concerned about funding cuts and self-censorship
Alfred Wilm and the hardening of metals
How do you prepare for a so-called accidental discovery?
Why data visualisation is so important in the age of AI
Machines don’t need to draw charts and plots to work with data, but humans will still need datavis skills to work with machines.
India’s generic semaglutide surge
As patents on Novo Nordisk’s diabetes and weight loss blockbusters expire, generic makers have their versions ready
‘The truth is supremely valuable and we cannot lie our way to it’
As a scientist with family in Iran, Derek Lowe finds his own government’s approach to truth alarming
How and why soap works: the science behind the suds
Join us on 25 June to discover the chemistry behind our favourite household cleaner
Driving the future of compliance: digital reference materials transforming regulated analytical testing
Join us 21 April to explore how digital tools and frameworks are transforming regulated analytical testing, compliance and industry-wide adoption
Visualising data for scientific discovery
Turn complex data into clear insight through hands-on learning and expert guidance
In conversation with Clare Grey
Hear from the pioneering British chemist redefining how we think of battery science – live on 15 May
Inert materials & the Mary Celeste
In this episode, we discuss how to ensure experimental instruments are truly inert, chemistry’s answer to the fate of the Mary Celeste, and hear the latest headlines.
Two states of water & science sleuths
In this episode, we discuss the two-state model of water, how science sleuths are fighting disinformation, and hear the latest headlines.
Atomic radii & synthetic food dyes
In this episode, we discuss the where the true limits of an atom lie, the US’s plan to eliminate synthetic food dyes, and hear the latest headlines.
AAAS annual meeting & plasma chemistry
In this episode, we discuss reflections from this year’s AAAS annual meeting, the latest advances in plasma chemistry, and hear the latest headlines.
Webinar
How and why soap works: the science behind the suds
Join us on 25 June to discover the chemistry behind our favourite household cleaner
Podcast
Inert materials & the Mary Celeste
In this episode, we discuss how to ensure experimental instruments are truly inert, chemistry’s answer to the fate of the Mary Celeste, and hear the latest headlines.
Opinion
The scientific career clock in China
Age limits on funding and recruitment programmes place unhelpful pressures on early-career researchers
Business
Bursting bubbles break down PFAS
Mantisonix is using ultrasound to destroy fluorochemical pollutants in water
Opinion
How my master’s reshaped my view on higher education chemistry
After three relentless undergraduate years, the fourth year provided space to immerse myself in the subject
Sponsored
Why data visualisation is so important in the age of AI
Machines don’t need to draw charts and plots to work with data, but humans will still need datavis skills to work with machines.
Pittcon 2026 heads to San Antonio for analytical chemistry showcase
The world’s largest laboratory science conference returns to San Antonio in March 2026, featuring Nobel laureate Frances Arnold as keynote speaker and showcasing cutting-edge analytical instrumentation across five days of technical sessions and networking events.
Biphenyl: 20 years of Restek innovation
How Restek’s Biphenyl column changed chromatography
Explainer: the Welch Award in Chemistry
Many people have never heard about one of the biggest awards in chemistry. Chemistry World sets the record straight.
Optimising method transfer in regulated environments
Learn how to minimise risk and promote data quality with data-driven approaches and digital tools
SYNTHIA for chemists: faster route design
Discover how SYNTHIA accelerates retrosynthesis by helping chemists design, compare and refine routes with customisable filters and commercial building blocks
Developing a CITK protein degrader using the QuicTPD™ platform
Learn about the latest technology to accelerate the design of cancer treatments
Lab Innovations 2025 returns to shape the future of laboratories
Scientists, researchers, engineers, industry leaders and innovators gather for UK’s must-attend industry event
The scientific career clock in China
Age limits on funding and recruitment programmes place unhelpful pressures on early-career researchers
Innovative SMEs and start-ups can be the Change Makers we need to tackle PFAS
The Royal Society of Chemistry is offering support to early-stage ventures that aim to solve problems associated with forever chemicals
How my master’s reshaped my view on higher education chemistry
After three relentless undergraduate years, the fourth year provided space to immerse myself in the subject
Women and early-career researchers bore the burden of NIH’s funding disruptions
Almost 58% of the studies the US National Institutes of Health suddenly cancelled last year were female-led
Two states of water & science sleuths
How company presentations can be made relevant
How to be a science sleuth
Steve Liddle: ‘Try and do something different to what everyone else is doing’
How to get into – and ace – a summer undergraduate research programme
Breaking bonds and bringing disciplines together to replace one of chemistry’s most controversial molecules