Chemistry

Green-chemistry researchers at McGill University have discovered a way to use water as a solvent in one of the reactions most widely used to synthesize chemical products and pharmaceuticals.

Stanley Miller, the chemist whose landmark experiment published in 1953 showed how some of the molecules of life could have formed on a young Earth, left behind boxes of experimental samples that he never analyzed. The first-ever analysis of some of Miller’s old samples has revealed another way that important molecules could have formed on early Earth.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) named 10 semifinalists in its Chemistry Champions contest on June 24. The contest aims to find and train promising science communicators — perhaps even find the Carl Sagan of chemistry.

From such courses as Pesticides, Insecticides and the Environment to Philosophy of Science, Cornell University’s newest chemistry majors have a wide range of electives they can now choose from to fill out the 60-credit major.

















