Synthetic Chemistry podcasts

Mariana Kneppers, Mason Wakley and Frances Briggs reflect on 25 years of click chemistry and its spread into medicine and materials research. A second discussion examines covalent bonding in actinide elements and the experimental challenges of understanding how the heaviest atoms share electrons.

Hosted by Mariana Kneppers

Tanja Janko interviews chemist Lee Cronin about Assembly Theory, chemical complexity, and the emergence of life. They discuss how molecules can reflect the history of their assembly, whether homochirality could be an early form of chemical selection, and how the Chemputer could make chemistry programmable. Other topics include the distinction between patterns and codes in biology, complex molecules as possible evidence of life on Mars, and primitive cell-like behaviour in inorganic polyoxometalate systems.

Hosted by Tanja Janko

Emma Pewsey and Phillip Broadwith discuss formulations intended to make butyllithium reagents easier to handle while retaining synthetic performance. A second story examines how analysis of limescale in Pompeii’s public baths can reveal aspects of water use and life in the ancient city.

Hosted by Mariana Kneppers

Jennifer Newton and Jamie Durrani discuss the future of total synthesis and the development of halogen-bond catalysis. The episode examines how funding pressures and changing priorities affect a long-established synthetic discipline, then introduces the origins and possible applications of an emerging catalytic approach.

Hosted by Mariana Kneppers