2022
X-Ray Crystallomancy: A Practical Guide
X-ray crystallomancy is one of the most powerful techniques for structural determination available to the modern scientist. This illiterature review provides a brief history of the field and a stepwise guide to the process of growing crystals, collecting X-ray data and processing it to a publishable standard.
A Grease Mediated and Solvated Tzatziki-Moussaka Cross-Coupling Reaction
A grease mediated Pd catalysed cross-coupling reaction has been discovered, developed, and unhelpfully studied. Our cherry-picked results show a highly strung reaction using a novel Pd-precatalyst and phosphine ligand. Density Dysfunctional Theory and destructive kinetic analysis have shown basically nothing, but we want to get the results out there before another group snipes our work.
Turning Wine into Blood: A Mechanistic Study of the Transubstantiation Reaction
Transubstantiation is the process by which the bread and wine of the eucharist is said to become the body and blood of Christ. The mechanism of this transformation is, shall we say, vexed, and has been for some time. The theology of this miraculous reaction is beyond the scope of this paper and the understanding of its authors. This study seeks instead to examine the chemistry behind it.
Chemistry in America Grinds to a Halt as SCOTUS Votes 6-3 to Ban Transition States
There follows a frivolous frolic through some very serious issues. The authors clearly lack an understanding of the topic, or a sense of decency and taste more generally. I find this unsuitable for publication in Nature, and suggest J. Immat. Sci. - Reviewer 2
The 2022 Post-Doc Draft
This week saw the conclusion of the World Chemistry Federation’s transfer window for post-docs. Herein, the highlights of the trading season are summerised.
The Return of the Imperial Mole
Embiggened by Boris, son of John, we proudly introduce the imperial unit for the quantification of chemical substances. Unlike units of the Metric System, the imp-mole will bring benefits the likes of which have never been seen.
A Total Synthesis of Tesseractane: The First Preparation of a 4-Dimensional Natural Product
If you thought cubane was weird, this will blow your tiny mind.
Back to Basis: A Tool for Computational Chemists
This tool allows computational chemists to easily find the right basis set to give them the results that they want.
The Buttered Cat Conundrum: An Investigation
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.
A Total Synthesis of Rashnovinol A
On April 1st 2022, the well-known fine chemical company Sigma Aldrich published the structure of a novel natural product: Rashnovinol A. We report the first total synthesis of Rashnovinol A, and a comparison of its spectroscopic data to the structure proposed by S. Aldrich et al
Novel Preparation of Palladium-On-Carbon and Pd/TPPO by Gradual Mesobaric Pyrolysis
Palladium on carbon (Pd/C) is a widely used heterogeneous catalyst. It consists of a thin coating of palladium supported on activated charcoal, and is predominantly used in hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis reactions. Entirely by accident, we have discovered a new way to prepare this venerable catalyst.
The Putin Protein and its Role in Invasive Russocarcinoma
The protein “putin” normally acts to regulate the flow of methane through the digestive system. However, a nonsense mutation of the corresponding KGB gene results in an antimorphic protein, “RASputin” which is linked to a highly invasive cancer known as russocarcinoma.
Man with Prince Albert Piercing Stands Too Close to NMR Spectrometer, High-Intensity Splitting Results
A cautionary tale about the dangers of magnetic piercings.
An Ode to Triphenylphosphine Oxide
A song about everyone’s favourite molecule, to the tune of “Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkle.
A Scalable Synthesis of Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine has been shown to be a miracle molecule. Previous literature shows the utility of methamphetamine as a relaxant, stimulant, painkiller, and nirvana catalyst. The biological mechanism for these effects remains unknown, but recent research has suggested that more funding can be diverted to studying meth for increasing its utility in healthcare, government, and educational institutions.
Unconventional Methods for Metal Confirmation in Semi-Crystalline Samples
In lieu of an abstract, or any semblance of a social or romantic life, Wright provides the opening line to her favourite dirty limerick- “There once was a man from Nantucket…”
Impracticatechol 2: Electrochemical Boogaloo
A rip-roaring yarn! This paper has everything: a diabolical foe, a plucky protagonist, romantic interest and molecular sieves. This long-awaited sequel to “Impracticatechol 1: A Partial Total Synthesis” is the second instalment of Burnie’s epic saga: The Carbo Cycle.
Imperial Units in Chemistry: A Vitriolic Perspective
There follows an exaggerated, ill-informed diatribe. Poorly thought out and peppered with grammatical errors, this work is of little merit and no significance. It is therefore accepted for publication in J. Immat. Sci.
Geek Tragedy
A song about finding love in the lab, to the tune of The Wombat’s “Greek Tregedy”.
The Ultimate Technique for Complex Mixture Separation: FUPLC-NMR-CE6-GC-IR-ICP-MS-MS-MS-MS
We have observed the trend of combining analytical instruments in series, and extrapolated it to the max.