Before chemistry was science, it was alchemy. Ancient alchemists searched for the Philosopher’s Stone, trying to turn lead into gold. What they actually discovered was the foundation of modern chemistry. This episode uncovers how chemistry evolved from mystical potions to molecular precision.

We’ll meet the scientists who shattered myths—like Friedrich Wöhler, who accidentally proved that life’s molecules could be made in a lab, forever changing science. Why do carbon-based molecules rule the universe? What makes organic chemistry so special? And how did a single experiment rewrite the rules of science?

From medieval potions to modern medicine, this episode takes you through the fascinating, weird, and sometimes messy history of organic chemistry. Buckle up—because the story of carbon is also the story of life itself.

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What makes carbon the ultimate shape-shifter of the periodic table? This episode reveals why carbon is the backbone of life, the engine of industry, and the reason you exist.

From the diamonds in your jewelry to the fuel in your car, carbon’s versatility is unmatched. But what makes it so special? We dive into the element’s unique ability to form millions of molecules, its surprising role in everything from food to technology, and its dark side—pollution and climate change.

Why does carbon switch between coal, graphite, and diamonds? Can silicon replace it in life’s chemistry? And what happens if we run out of carbon-based fuels? This is the story of an element that quite literally holds the world together.

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What if we told you that the shape of a molecule can determine whether a drug saves a life or kills? This episode explores how molecular structure dictates everything—smell, taste, medicine, and materials. Using the bizarre science of molecular geometry, we uncover why some molecules bend while others stay rigid, how structure determines strength (looking at you, diamond vs. graphite), and why DNA is a twisted double helix.

We also reveal how molecular shape controls the flavors in your favorite foods and even the smell of rain. Can the shape of a molecule really change its entire identity? Get ready for a journey into the invisible world of molecular architecture—where chemistry meets design in the most unexpected ways.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.