Materials
What the world is built from
Modern life sits on molecules invented in the 20th century. Nylon (1935) became parachutes, then stockings. Teflon (1938) made non-stick pans. Kevlar (1965) stops bullets. PET (1941) is every plastic bottle. Lithium-ion electrolytes power phones, cars, grids. Some are miracles: graphene is one atom thick and stronger than steel. Some are tragedies: PFAS contaminate human blood worldwide; BPA hijacks hormone receptors; PCBs took 50 years to ban. This collection covers polymers, materials, and the industrial molecules we live inside whether or not we wanted to.
Featured
Benzene
Kekulé claimed an ouroboros dream gave him the ring structure in 1865. Today it's a Class-1 carcinogen tied to acute myeloid leukemia; OSHA caps workplace exposure at 1 ppm.
Bisphenol A
The monomer in polycarbonate water bottles and epoxy can liners. Canada declared it toxic in 2008, triggering the global 'BPA-free' wave — but replacements BPS and BPF show similar endocrine activity.
Urea
In 1828 Wöhler heated ammonium cyanate and got urea — the first time anyone made an organic molecule from inorganic precursors. The doctrine of vitalism didn't survive the experiment.
Stories in this theme
All 38 molecules in this theme
Benzene
Prototypical aromatic; carcinogen; resonance icon
Bisphenol A
Polycarbonate + epoxy monomer; endocrine concern
Urea
Wöhler's organic synthesis milestone; fertilizer
Formaldehyde
Simplest aldehyde; tissue fixative; resin
Ozone
UV-shielding allotrope; strong oxidizer
Polyethylene (repeat)
PE; world's most produced plastic
Acetic acid
Vinegar; archetypal weak acid
Polystyrene (repeat)
PS; foam + packaging
Toluene
Methylbenzene; solvent; TNT precursor
1,3-Butadiene (BR monomer)
Synthetic rubber monomer
Acrylonitrile (PAN monomer)
Carbon-fiber precursor monomer
Ammonia
Haber-Bosch product; fertilizer feedstock; base
Calcium carbonate
Limestone; chalk; antacid
Caprolactam
Nylon-6 monomer
Carbon dioxide
Greenhouse gas; combustion product; photosynthesis input
Chlorine
Halogen oxidizer; water treatment; chlorination
Epichlorohydrin
Epoxy resin monomer
Glycolide (PGA monomer)
Bioabsorbable polymer monomer
Hydrogen
Lightest element; reducing agent; clean fuel
Hydrogen chloride
Strong acid in aqueous (HCl); gas in pure form
Hydrogen peroxide
Oxidizing agent; bleach; antiseptic
Hydrogen sulfide
Rotten-egg odor gas; toxic; weak acid
Lactide (PLA monomer)
Bio-PLA monomer; lactic-acid cyclic dimer
MDI (PU monomer)
Polyurethane diisocyanate
MMA (PMMA monomer)
Acrylic glass monomer
Nitric acid
Strong oxidizing acid; nitration source
Nitrogen
Atmosphere main component; inert gas
Oxygen
Oxidizer; combustion; respiration
PET repeat
PET soft-drink bottles
Phosphoric acid
Triprotic acid; food additive; biochemistry
Polypropylene (repeat)
PP; common consumer plastic
PTFE (repeat)
Teflon; non-stick coating
PVC (repeat)
PVC; pipes + flooring
Sodium chloride
Table salt; biological electrolyte
Sodium hydroxide
Strong base; saponification; soap making
Sulfur dioxide
Pollutant; preservative; bleaching agent
Sulfuric acid
Strongest common mineral acid; dehydrating agent
Water
Universal solvent; product of combustion/neutralization