STUDENT SUPPLEMENT
www.rsc.org/eic
MAY 2009 • VOLUME 46 • NUMBER 3
Waste not…
Can sawdust plug
the energy gap?
ISSN 0013-1350
Science Diploma
Target setting
Government delays launch to
rethink structure
Number-crunching culture
stifles education
ISSUE  MAY 
IN THIS
ISSUE
HOSPITAL COATS
JUPITERIMAGES
Ironically, hospitals are a reservoir
for myriad microbes, from bacteria,
through fungi to viruses – you’re
just as likely to catch a bug as an
inpatient that will cause you more
problems than your original
complaint. But researchers at
University College London are on
their way to a solution in the form
of an antibacterial coating that can
be applied on to a variety of
surfaces, including glass and
plastics. Any surface that is likely to
come into human contact could
be covered with the coat.
RADICAL ATTACK
Zoie Aiken and her colleagues,
presenting their work at a meeting
at the Society of General
Microbiology in London, in March,
explained that their coat is made
of titanium dioxide doped with
nitrogen. When white light hits the
surface of this coat, any microbes
on the surface are killed thus
reducing their potential to cause
infections.
Team member and chemist on
the project, Professor Ivan Parkin,
explained to InfoChem: ‘In the dark,
TiO2 coatings have no effect on the
microbes. Shining a light on them,
however, produces a negative
electron and a positive charge,
which migrate to the surface
where they react with the air to
form free radicals, including for
example hydroxyl, •OH, and
hydrogen peroxy, HOO•, radicals.
These highly reactive chemical
No bugs here
Kew science
The garden laboratory
celebrates 250 years
A day in the
life of…
Donna Palmer,
project manager
On-screen
chemistry
species will react with any organic
material in the vicinity – bacteria,
dirt, viruses etc – decomposing it,
via a series of complicated
chemical reactions, to carbon
dioxide and water.’
Titanium dioxide alone,
however, can only harvest a small
proportion (1 per cent) of the Sun’s
energy, ie from the ultraviolet
region. Parkin explains, ‘Add
nitrogen to TiO2 and this increases
the amount of energy that the
material can capture to ca 5 per
cent and now the material can
absorb in the visible region of the
Sun’s spectrum’. This is promising
since the main light sources in
hospitals are in the visible region
and so would activate the
compound to produce the
damaging radicals.
According to Aiken, the coating
has so far been applied to glass
surfaces where it has been shown
to kill 99 per cent of Escherichia
coli. This bacteria is known to be
more difficult to kill than bacteria
from the Staphylococcus group,
which includes MRSA, so the initial
results are encouraging.
The researchers are currently
testing their coating on other
surfaces, on for example
computers, and against other
bacteria.
Did you know?
You can find out more about what studying for a chemistry
degree involves at ChemNet’s Meet the universities event
at the Royal Horticultural Halls, London on Saturday 4 July.
For more information visit www.rsc.org/chemnet.
Download a pdf of this issue at: www.rsc.org/EiC
InfoChem_May09.indd 1
Are buckyballs confined
to the lab?
Backyard
chemistry
Sherbet lemons
Plus…
Prize puzzles
Editor
Kathryn Roberts
Assistant editor
James Berressem
Design and layout
Dale Dawson
Infochem is a supplement to Education
in Chemistry and is published
bi-monthly by the Royal Society of
Chemistry, Burlington House,
Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA, UK.
020-7437 8656, e-mail: [email protected]
www.rsc.org/Education/EiC/index.asp
© The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2009
Published in January and alternate
months. ISSN: 1752-0533
1
14/04/2009 17:08:21
K  
ISSUE  MAY 
This year the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG), Kew, celebrates 250 years of horticulture
and science. The RBG’s Jodrell laboratory is at the centre of cutting-edge research in
plant science, and chemistry plays an important part in the work that goes on there.
T
he Jodrell laboratory is home
to Kew’s sustainable uses of
plants group (SUG), a team of
biologists, entomologists,
pharmacists and chemists.
Professor Monique Simmonds, head of SUG,
told InfoChem, ‘The group focuses on
documenting the traditional uses of plants and
fungi, identifying the chemicals that confer
plants with their beneficial properties, and
exploring potential new uses of plants and
fungi’.
There are ca 300 000 plant species
distributed across the world. Each species
produces a range of chemicals
(phytochemicals), which act as antioxidants,
insect attractants, pest repellents etc. ‘SUG
phytochemists use analytical techniques such
as high-performance liquid chromatography
(HPLC), liquid chromatography–mass
spectrometry (LC–MS) and UV and NMR
spectroscopies to analyse crude extracts made
by crushing up plant material in a solvent (eg
water, methanol etc). This produces a chemical
fingerprint for each species, from which we
identify systematic markers which can relate
species to species’, explains Simmonds. ‘These
chemical data provide a powerful way to
classify plants [taxonomy] and map their
evolutionary development [phylogeny]’. The
SUG team uses these data in several
applications.
P 
Seventy-five per cent of the world population
gets its medicine from plants and the growing,
$multi-billion global market for herbal
medicines is leading to higher demand on
plant raw materials. Each year the Jodrell
laboratory receives 1500–2000 enquiries to
investigate plant-based materials and products
for a variety of customers. Enquiries from
HM Revenue and Customs to determine
exactly what plant material is being traded in
the UK, for example, are common.
Ginseng is widely used in traditional
remedies and herbal medicines as well as
health foods, cosmetics etc. The plant’s root and
its extract contain carbohydrate compounds
JUPITERIMAGES
Kew’s plant collections are a valuable scientific resource
2
InfoChem_May09.indd 2
You may copy this issue for use within schools
14/04/2009 17:08:43
PHOTODISC

called ginsenosides, which are believed to have
a stimulatory effect on the body as well as
anticancer and antioxidant properties.
‘Only Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), can be
traded freely’, Simmonds explains, ‘other
species such as American ginseng (Panax
quinquefolius) require traders to hold a
certificate issued by CITES (the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora). But it’s difficult to
determine the source of ginseng root material
by physical analysis alone, and unscrupulous
traders can complicate matters further for
customs officers by spraying adulterated
material, or roots harvested from prohibited
sources, with extract derived from genuine
Asian ginseng’. Thin-layer chromatographic
analysis done by customs officers only elutes
off and identifies the sprayed extract, falsely
indicating a genuine product. The SUG team
offers a more rigorous method.
Using LC–MS, the chemists have
characterised a profile of the ginsenosides
produced by each species of ginseng and
identified ginsenosides individual to each
species’ profile that are long-lasting enough to
act as references to identify the plant. By
comparing the LC–MS profile of the customs’
sample with the reference profiles they can
determine its nature, origin and legality.
The Jodrell laboratory does similar analyses
for the pharmaceutical and food industries to
confirm that the raw materials used in their
products are genuine and contain the desired
active ingredient. If inappropriate or incorrect
plant ingredients are included in a medicine,
the affects on the consumer or patient can be
dangerous.
In the UK in 1999, for example, there were
several reports of people who developed
kidney disease while using a slimming
treatment based on Chinese botanical
preparations. LC–MS analyses done by the Kew
chemists showed that the treatment contained
aristolochic acid (1), an extract of woody
vines belonging to the genus Aristolochia.
Also known as birthworts, these vines
were traditionally used in single-dose
preparations to induce abortion. In high
concentrations aristolochic acid can be fatal to
humans. According to Simmonds, aristolochic
acid was present only at low dose in the
treatment, but continued use of the drug had
led to the accumulation of the chemical in the
body over time, causing renal failure. ‘These
incidents have led Aristolochia to be banned
from use in herbal remedies’, she adds.
Identif ying ginseng species
nervous system (CNS), specifically acting as
inhibitors of the enzyme acetylcholine esterase
which regulates levels of the chemical
messenger molecule acetylcholine.
‘This activity is similar to that of the alkaloid
galanthamine (2), isolated from snowdrops
[Galanthus], which is already being developed
as a drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease’, says
Simmonds. A form of dementia, Alzheimer’s
N’ 
disease (AD) is linked to low concentrations of
Plant-derived natural products have been the
acetylcholine in the brain. Drugs based on
starting point for many successful drugs, eg
plant compounds that inhibit acetylcholine
aspirin from salicylic acid (1-hydroxybenzoic
esterase might increase acetylcholine levels,
acid) from willow bark, and agrochemicals such redressing the chemical imbalance and
as the pesticide azadirachtin from the Indian
slowing the onset of AD, she adds.
neem tree. Scientists working at Kew Gardens
identify potential uses of new natural products H 
by observing and understanding their role in
As well as preserving plant species, research at
interactions with insects and other plants.
Kew can also help to protect endangered
During surveys of insect damage to plants in animal species. In traditional Chinese medicine
Kew’s living plant collections, for example, staff bear bile is used in remedies to treat
found that species of Crinum, Lycoris,
inflammation. A SUG project in collaboration
Hippeastrum, Narcissus and Nerine were not
with Middlesex University has identified a
attacked by pests. Based on these findings Kew potential herbal alternative with similar antiscientists, working in collaboration with
inflammatory properties to the active agent in
researchers from the University of
bear bile – ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) (3).
Bournemouth and Wageningen University, the
‘Although there is a synthetic equivalent of
Netherlands, tested extracts of these plants
UDCA, this is not widely available to traditional
against a range of insect assays, and found they healers in China. So working with traditional
had insecticidal activity.
O
Using chromatographic techniques to
OH
O
separate out the components of the active
OH
extracts, the team isolated a group of alkaloids,
NO2
O
ie organic nitrogen-containing compounds,
O
called the amaryllidaceae alkaloids, some of
H3CO
which showed antifeedant activity against
N
CH3
OCH3
insects. Further biological studies have shown
that some of the compounds interfere with
biochemical processes in the brain and central
(2) Galanthamine
(1) Aristolochic acid
You may copy this issue for use within schools
InfoChem_May09.indd 3

3
14/04/2009 17:09:03
“…  
   
  .”
ISSUE  MAY 

CH3
H3C
CH3
H
HO
CH3
H
COOH
CH3
these plants against the same biological assay
used to test for anti-inflammatory activity in
bear bile, we identified Chinese skullcap
(Scutellaria baicalensis), a member of the mint
family, as a potential alterative to bear bile’.
N 
H
H3C CH3
(3) Ursodeoxycholic acid
healers who preferred not to use bear bile in
their treatments, we collated a short list of
possible native herbal substitutes’, explains
Simmonds. ‘Screening extracts derived from
Caged for bear bile
Working behind the scenes at Kew Gardens,
the SUG team is using its blend of expertise to
inform how we address the global challenges
of 21st century, from developing droughtresistant crops that will grow in climate change
conditions, through assessing local plants for
use as sustainable biomass fuel, to meeting
society’s medicinal needs with new leads for
drugs to treat diseases such as HIV/AIDs. Bear
that in mind next time you visit Kew Gardens.
James Berressem
As part of its 250th anniversary celebrations Kew Gardens will be
running open days at the Jodrell laboratory in June and July. The
laboratory also offers summer work experience placements and
interested sixthform students should contact Professor Monique
Simmonds (e-mail: [email protected]).
that’s chemistry
Simon Cotton, chemistry teacher at Uppingham School, looks at the molecules in our lives. In this issue: popcorn
What is popcorn?
Popcorn is made from a type of
corn. When the kernel, or whole
seed, of corn is heated, it
explodes and puffs up. It was
discovered by the inhabitants of
the Americas around 4000 years
ago and used not only as a food
but as a fashion accessory for
headdresses and necklaces.
JUPITERIMAGES; ISTOCKPHOTO
What happens when the
corn kernels are heated?
Each kernel of corn contains a
small droplet of water inside a
starch–protein matrix, which is
surrounded by a hard outer
surface. When heated, the water
in the kernel turns to steam and
the increase in pressure causes
the kernel to explode. As it
explodes, the soft starch inside
4
InfoChem_May09.indd 4
becomes inflated and bursts,
turning the kernel inside out.
Sounds a bit like a
pressure cooker?
Exactly. At around 70 °C the water
starts to penetrate the starch,
causing it to gelatinise. Highpressure steam causes the
gelatinised starch to expand into
a three dimensional network.
When the outer surface breaks
and the steam escapes, the starch
dries out, resulting in dry and
light popcorn.
But why does the kernel
expand?
temperature, a decrease in
pressure is associated with an
increase in volume.
What gives popcorn its
characteristic smell?
Like most food smells, this comes
down to a mixture of chemicals.
Two that have been identified are
2-pyridylketone (1) and
γ-butyrolactone (2), the latter
being an ester. (Esters are widely
used as flavouring compounds.)
What about buttered
popcorn?
Sorry to disappoint you, but
butter isn’t used in toppings any
When its outer surface breaks, the more. Nowadays, manufacturers
pressure of the steam drops.
use artificial butter flavourings
Boyle’s law, ie P1V1 = P2V2, predicts made with hydrogenated soya
that for a gas at constant
bean oil and artificial colour. ■
H
HC
HC
C
H
CH3
N
O
(1) 2_Pyridylketone
H
H
H
H
H
O
H
O
(2) γ–Butyrolactone
You may copy this issue for use within schools
14/04/2009 17:09:22
Jonathan Hare asks…
C60 – lost in space?
STAR GAZING: do buckyballs
exist in space?
A few years ago the focus of a BBC Horizon
programme was the discovery of C60,
buckminsterfullerene (buckyball), and the
family of similar carbon-cage molecules, the
fullerenes.1 The fullerenes were discovered in
1985 by British chemist Sir Harry Kroto and
colleagues in the US. The chemists were
doing laboratory experiments designed to
probe the chemistry involved when
molecules are first created in the atmospheres
of cool, red, giant stars, and then ejected into
the interstellar medium (ISM) or ‘space’. It was
an accidental discovery – a great example of
serendipity and led to the award of the Nobel
prize for chemistry in 1996.2
©CHRIS EWELS, WWW.EWELS.INFO
A wonderful story
In these pioneering laboratory experiments,
the scientists, using a high-powered laser,
vaporised carbon into helium gas, which
expanded into a vacuum chamber and
cooled – thus simulating the conditions of a
star pumping out material into the ISM. They
analysed the tiny amounts of material
produced using a mass spectrometer. They
detected molecules that were known to be in
the ISM as well as the totally unexpected
fullerenes – in particular, the C60 molecule.
It took five years to find a simple way of
making C60 in gram quantities, which was
part of my PhD. On the same Horizon
programme, I explained my part in this
wonderful story. If you create a high
temperature electrical spark between two
carbon rods you can vaporise carbon. If you
do this in an inert gas such as helium, a black
smoke is produced, up to 10 per cent of
which is made up of C60 and the larger
You may copy this issue for use within schools
InfoChem_May09.indd 5
fullerenes. The fullerenes are soluble in
solvents such as methylbenzene (toluene)
and so can be extracted and purified.
But are there fullerenes in space?
Since the discovery of C60 a common
misconception has evolved – ie the
molecules were actually discovered in space.
The usual method of detecting molecules
in space is by observing their radiowave
emission. Molecules with dipole moments –
ie ones that are polar, with one end more
positively or negatively charged than the
opposite end – emit microwaves as they
tumble and rotate in the gas clouds (even
though they are pretty cold at 20–100 K they
still have enough thermal energy to rotate).
These feeble signals can be picked-up on
Earth by using large steerable parabolic radio
dishes with sensitive radio/microwave
receivers.
The Horizon programme ended with the
speculation that if C60 was in space, it might
be responsible for certain unidentified,
astronomical emissions and absorptions in
the ISM known as the diffuse interstellar
bands (DIB). For a while carbon chains
seemed a promising candidate but so far
neither these nor C60 seem to provide a full
explanation.
And the evidence?
so far the right circumstances have not been
observed. The ultraviolet features of C60 are in
regions of the spectrum where there are
strong signals from other widespread
materials in space, so all in all no
unambiguous detection of C60 has so far been
made.
In search of C60
It is also likely that C60 in space will have
reacted with hydrogen (the most abundant
element in the universe) or other atoms, thus
forming many possible products and
complicating matters further. There are,
however, carbon rich stars that might be a
good source of carbon and also warm
enough for infrared investigations and so
might be good regions in which to search for
fullerenes. ■
Dr Jonathan Hare, The CSC Centre, chemistry
department, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1
9ET (www.creative-science.org.uk/TV.html).
The symmetry of (pure un-reacted) C60 means
that it has no dipole moment so it does not
REFERENCES
1. Molecules with sunglasses, the discovery of buckminsterfullerene,
have a radio signature. To measure the
infrared, vibrational absorption features of C60, Horizon, BBC TV, 1992.
2. Nobel prize lectures of fullerene discoverers Robert Curl Jnr,
a background infrared source is needed
Sir Harold Kroto and Richard Smalley: http://nobelprize.org/
nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1996/index.html
(perhaps from a star or other hot object) but
5
14/04/2009 17:09:39
Dr Hal SoSabowSki preSentS experimentS you can Do on your own
Issue 103 MARCH 2007
IN THIS ISSUE:
ISSUE from sherbet to popping sandwich bags
THE SCIENCE
Here are two experiments to explore the
ability of sodium bicarbonate to produce
gaseous CO2 in the presence of an acid. In
the first experiment you are going to
make sherbet, which is in many sweets –
eg sherbet fountains, flying saucers,
sherbet dabs etc. It is a mixture of citric
acid (3-hydroxypentanedioic acid3-carboxylic acid (CH2.COOH.COH.COOH.
CH2.COOH)) (1), sugar and sodium
bicarbonate.
The taste of sherbet is a mixture of
sweet (from the sugar) and tart (from the
citric acid), and provides a fizz on your
tongue, from the reaction of citric acid
with sodium bicarbonate (see equation).
The fizz comes from the evolution of CO2.
In the second experiment you will see
how CO2 can cause pressure in a container
and make a minor explosion.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Experiment 1 – making sherbet – is one of
the few chemistry experiments in which
you can taste what you have made. Please
regard it as a food science experiment
rather than a chemistry experiment, and
you must use food grade reagents. Do the
experiment in the kitchen with food
utensils. (Never taste anything in the
chemistry lab.)
Experiment 2 – popping sandwich bags and
exploding film canister mortars – causes a
mild, controlled detonation of a plastic
bag containing mildly caustic reagents so
safety glasses must be worn and I
recommend you wear old clothes. This
experiment is best done outside.
MATERIALS
You will need:
● icing sugar;
● bicarbonate of soda (food grade,
available from supermarkets);
●
●
●
●
METHOD
Experiment 1. Mix two teaspoons of
sugar, one teaspoon of citric acid, and half
a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda, and
cautiously dab a wet finger tip of the
resulting powder onto your tongue (it’s an
acquired taste). The mixture will taste tart
and sweet and make a
pleasing fizz/foam.
Experiment 2. Put one
ziplock bag inside the other
then set aside. Put a piece of
kitchen paper flat onto a
table and make a pile of five
heaped teaspoons of sodium
bicarbonate. Wrap the paper
around the bicarbonate and
twist the ends so you have a
‘wrap’ of bicarbonate.
OH
OH
HO
OH
O
O
O
OH
(1) Citric acid
6
InfoChem_May09.indd 6
powdered citric acid (food grade,
available from supermarkets);
250 cm3 vinegar;
two small ziplock (aka resealable)
sandwich bags;
kitchen paper roll.
Pour 250 cm3 of vinegar into the inside
bag. Put the wrap of bicarbonate in the
inside bag but hold it at the top of the bag
with your fingers – still outside the bag so
it doesn’t fall into the vinegar. With your
fingers still preventing the wrap from
falling into the vinegar, zip up the inside
bag then the outside bag. Then, placing
the bag in the sink (if you are doing the
experiment in the kitchen) or on a flat
surface (if you are outside), allow the wrap
to fall into the vinegar and gently shake so
the kitchen paper unfurls and the
bicarbonate mixes with the vinegar. You
will see an immediate reaction, with foam
produced, and the bag will begin to swell,
only stopping when it either pops or the
zip fastener gives way.
A version of this experiment can be
done with 35 mm film canisters. Half fill
with vinegar, add a wrap of about one
teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate and put
the lid on. The lid will fly off with a
satisfying pop after a few seconds. ■
NaO
+ 3NaHCO3
O
O
O
ONa
+ 3CO2 + 3H2O
ONa
Sodium citrate
You may copy this issue for use within schools
14/04/2009 17:10:02
A     …
PROJECT MANAGER:
Donna Palmer
Donna has spent the past three years working as a
project manager at Pera. She talks to Rachel BoltonKing about her typical day.
Pera is a research technology organisation that supports small- to
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop new products by
getting funding from UK or European public funding programmes
for collaborative R&D projects. Donna is part of the environmental
technologies department at Pera’s Melton Mowbray site. There are
14 staff in her department and Donna’s work focuses on
environmental research projects, such as developing new
technologies for cleaning up contaminated land.
B 
Currently Donna manages five research projects proposed by SMEs
that do not have the capabilities to develop their innovations. Her
role is to coordinate the technical delivery of each project, manage
its finances so that the work is completed within budget and report
developments to the funding bodies over the project’s lifetime,
which can be up to three years. A £1 million-funded project focuses
on developing a starch-based biodegradable packing material,
Starpack, to be used instead of polystyrene. Donna’s first task on
such a project is to identify and recruit partners, eg companies and
universities, who have the R&D expertise to complete the project.
PATHWAY TO SUCCESS
●
●
2006–present, project manager, Pera,
Melton Mowbray
2003–06, PhD in green and sustainable
chemistry, Leicester University
1999–2003, MChem chemistry (2.i),
Leicester University
1997–99, chemistry, physics and sociology
A-levels, Cadbur y College, Birmingham
●
●
Donna Palmer
For the Starpack
project, partners include
raw starch material suppliers, Leicester University and Morphy
Richards (which will use the material to package its products).
At the start of a project Donna organises meetings with the
partners to discuss the project, develop a work plan and decide who
is going to do what. Then the product development begins. In the
case of Starpack, chemists at Leicester University formulate recipes
of starch material and Donna and colleagues test these new
materials using tensile (strength), compression and stress tests in
Pera’s analytical laboratory. By testing and comparing the data for
each starch formulation with data for polystyrene, Donna
determines the most robust formula and product shape. Scientists
at Morphy Richards also do drop tests on this optimised starch
material to ensure toasters do not break during transportation and
storage. Donna then determines how long the material takes to
biodegrade and suitable storage conditions using humidity testing.
During a project Donna keeps in regular telephone contact with
all the partners and the funding bodies. To coordinate the work of
the partners, she organises quarterly review meetings where
representatives from all the partners present results of work done.
Donna chairs these meetings which aim to resolve any issues,
identify work which needs to be done in the next three months and
review the project’s finances to ensure that it is on budget.
Based on these meetings Donna writes quarterly reports that
detail test procedures, results and her conclusions, and these are
circulated to the partners. These reports also inform the funding
bodies that their cash is being spent appropriately and that work
done conforms to the project outcomes. At the end of a project,
Donna passes all data and testing procedures on the new product
to the SME for its continuous product development.
E 
Working with a diverse range of professionals based across Europe
means that Donna travels regularly to meet project partners. She
enjoys being involved in cutting-edge scientific research that results
in commercially successful products, which benefit the
environment. ■
PhD student, Rachel Bolton-King was given a grant by Chemistry: the next
generation (C:TNG) to write this article in collaboration with Education in Chemistry.
You may copy this issue for use within schools
InfoChem_May09.indd 7
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14/04/2009 17:10:25
£50 OF HMV TOKENS TO BE WON!
FIND THE ELEMENT No. 8
Students are invited to solve Benchtalk’s Find the element puzzle,
contributed by Dr Simon Cotton of Uppingham School. Your task is
to complete the grid by identifying the 10 elements using the
clues below.
ACROSS
1. This metal forms a carbonate unaffected by heat.
ISSUE  MAY 
2. When you heat the nitrate of this metal, oxygen is the only gas
formed.
PRIZE WORDSEARCH No. 45
Students are invited to find the 32 words/expressions associated with
dementia hidden in this grid. Words read in any direction, but are
always in a straight line. Some letters may be used more than once.
When all the words are found, the unused letters, read in order, will spell
a further 11-letter word. Please send your answers to the Editor at the
usual address to arrive no later than Wednesday 10 June. First correct
answer out of the editor’s hat will receive a £20 HMV token.
3. This metal forms both M2+ and M3+ ions.
4. Diamond is a form of this element.
5. This metal forms a white oxide which turns yellow when
heated (reversibly).
6. This element exists combined with H and O in an acid; this acid
is made commercially by oxidising ammonia.
7. This element has seven electrons in the outer shell of its atom.
N
Y
A
L
O
I
S
A
L
Z
H
E
I
M
E
R
R
8. A metal of low density that forms an amphoteric oxide.
E
T
C
T
E
P
O
C
S
O
R
C
I
M
H
E
N
U
I
E
M
U
S
C
A
R
I
N
I
C
E
T
R
O
9. This is the most reactive metal in the common version of the
reactivity series.
R
V
T
R
A
N
S
I
S
O
M
E
R
T
A
A
I
O
I
Y
E
I
P
Y
P
R
O
T
E
I
N
N
M
T
D
T
L
F
T
A
M
E
Y
R
O
M
E
M
G
I
A
E
C
C
F
N
T
P
S
A
P
S
A
G
E
L
N
T
G
A
H
I
E
I
T
T
E
N
I
A
R
B
E
O
N
E
C
O
C
M
E
O
E
A
S
E
N
E
G
S
A
E
N
I
L
A
E
N
M
R
S
Y
N
A
P
S
E
C
I
E
S
I
C
D
T
T
P
L
A
Q
U
E
S
U
I
R
R
N
N
Y
P
O
S
T
M
O
R
T
E
M
T
D
O
A
I
E
B
R
A
I
N
T
I
S
S
U
E
I
S
S
T
R
M
U
T
A
T
I
O
N
E
U
R
O
N
S
I
I
T
E
C
E
R
E
B
R
A
L
C
I
X
O
T
D
O
N
C
M
E
M
A
N
T
I
N
E
M
Y
Z
N
E
N
I
C
O
T
I
N
I
C
A
G
O
N
I
S
T
S
ACETYLCHOLINE
AGE
ALOIS ALZHEIMER
AMINO ACIDS
BRAIN
BRAIN TISSUE
CEREBRAL
DEMENTIA
DISORIENTATION
EFFICACY
ENZYME
ESTER
GENES
INTRINSIC ACTIVITY
MEMANTINE
MEMORY
MICROSCOPE
MUSCARINIC
MUTATION
NEURODEGENERATION
NEURONS
NEUROTRANSMITTER
NICOTINIC AGONISTS
PATIENT
PLAQUES
POST MORTEM
PROTEIN
SYMPTOM
SYNAPSE
TOXIC
TANGLES
TRANS ISOMER
March PRIZE WORDSEARCH No. 44 winner
The winner was Daniel Stanley from The Willink School, Berkshire.
The 12-letter word was GLYCOPROTEIN.
8
InfoChem_May09.indd 8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
If you have found the correct nine elements, in 1 down you will have
generated the name of a Group II metal. The metal forms an isotope of
mass 90, which is found in nuclear fallout. If this isotope is taken into the
body, it accumulates in the bones, causing leukaemia.
Please send you answers to: the Editor, Education in Chemistry, the
Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J
0BA, to arrive no later than Wednesday 10 June. First out of the editor’s
hat to have correctly completed the grid will receive a £30 HMV token.
Find the
element no. 7
winner
1
l
2
3
4
The winner was Ryan Purvis
from Stanley School of
Technology, Stanley,
County Durham.
7
c
h
5
c
o
8
t
h
i
u
m
o
x
y
g
e
n
d
g
e
n
e
s
i
g
o
l
n
i
t
r
o
a
r
b
o
n
n
6
l
9
i
m
a
g
r
i
n
e
i
r
o
n
u
m
Download a pdf of this issue at: www.rsc.org/EiC
14/04/2009 17:10:46