Every Molecule Tells a Story

Every Molecule Tells a Story, Second Edition continues the celebration of molecules responsible for the experiences of everyday life: the air we breathe, the water we drink, the chemicals that fuel our living, the steroids that give us sex, the colours of the seasons, the drugs that heal us, and the scented molecules that enrich our diet and our encounters with each other. You can’t see them, but you know that they are there. This latest edition presents new sections, including odorants, including their potential in the diagnosis of diseases and the possibility that they may improve our memory. Environmental issues appear, such as air pollution – both outdoors and indoor – and the need for recycling of plastics. It does not pass over the dangers of some chemicals, whether abused drugs, for example oxycodone and the fentanyls, or nerve agents, notably the Novichoks. Based on the highly successful first edition, this book brushes away any preconceived notions about chemistry to demonstrate its importance. Key Features The author introduces his molecular collection by explaining the relevance of chemistry in our everyday lives. New discoveries are reflected in existing chapters. The chemicals are frequently put in context of their human associations, so that the book goes beyond just ‘the chemistry’. A celebration of the molecules of chemistry.