THE YEAR IN CHEMISTRY 2019’S BIGGEST CHEMISTRY STORIES

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE PERIODIC TABLE EBOLA VACCINE APPROVED AND IN PRODUCTION

2019 saw celebrations to mark the 150th A new vaccine for Ebola was approved I Y anniversary of Dmitri Mendeleev’s periodic in Europe after successfully undergoing table. The year saw the oldest classroom clinical trials. A ruling on the vaccine’s US Pt periodic table uncovered, and the smallest approval is expected in March, with the and largest ever tables assembled. vaccine available from late 2020.

LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES WIN NOBEL PRIZE FURTHER EVIDENCE FOR PERIODICITY BREAKDOWN

The Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded New calculations show that copernicium to the development of lithium-ion batteries Cn is a highly volatile ‘noble liquid’, and that power phones, computers, and more. Og oganesson is a metallic semiconductor. One winner, John B Goodenough, became It’s further evidence for the breakdown of the oldest ever Nobel Prize winner at 97. periodicity for the superheavy elements.

A NEW RING FORM OF ELEMENTAL CARBON REDUCING & CONVERTING CO2 EMISSIONS

Chemists created a new form of elemental Chemists trialled ways to reduce carbon carbon: a ring consisting solely of 18 dioxide emissions. A battery-like device carbon atoms. Meanwhile, a new algorithm can capture CO2 emissions in car exhausts, C CO2 suggests there could be 43 different forms while a copper catalyst converts CO2 from of carbon yet to be discovered. the atmosphere into useful chemicals.

STIR BAR CONTAMINATION CATALYSES REACTIONS ALZHEIMER’S DRUG TRIALS UNSUCCESSFUL

The magnetic stir bars used in many Clinical trials on Alzheimer’s drug laboratories are coated in an inert polymer. elenbecestat were halted, making it the However, new research shows that scratches sixth Alzheimer’s drug of its type to enter but and cracks could trap metal particles, which fail clinical trials. Results of trials for other could then interfere with reactions. drugs are expected in the coming years.

STRANGE BONDS IDENTIFIED IN SPACE CONVERTING PLASTICS INTO NEW MATERIALS

The helium hydride ion was detected for One new process converts a plastic used the first time in a nebula, while calculations in food and drinks packaging into jet fuel, suggest that reactions between ammonia while another transformed polyethene and hydrogen could produce nitrogen into lubricants. A new family of recyclable heptahydride on Neptune and Uranus. polymers was also discovered.

FLUORINATED COMPOUNDS UNDER SCRUTINY LUNG INJURIES HEIGHTEN VAPING CONCERNS

Concerns relating to polyfluorinated Over 2,500 people were hospitalised in compounds hit the news regularly in the U.S. with lung injuries associated with 2019. Denmark banned their use in food vaping, with 54 deaths. The cause of the packaging, while chemists worked on ways issues was attributed to vitamin E acetate in to remove them from contaminated water. THC-containing vaping products.

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