Organic Chemistry Fun Fact of the Day

Organic Chemistry Fun Fact Day 21:

Today is the final fun fact of the day! Thank you so much to everyone for the support and for following along to learn more about organic chemistry! I hope you found this page interesting and educational. Feedback is greatly appreciated about this journey!

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You might be familiar with images of planes flying over wildfires while dropping colored powders to prevent the fires from spreading. But what is actually in the powder that prevents the spread of fire?

The most common commercially available fire-retardant is called Phos-Chek. Phos-Chek mainly consists of ammonium polyphosphate molecules (an example of this type of molecule is shown in the photos). When Phos-Chek is dropped onto the forest below, the phosphate molecules in ammonium polyphosphate interact with molecules of cellulose, which is a main structural component of leaves and plants. After the reaction between phosphate and cellulose occurs, the product is broken down by fire and leaves behind a protective layer on the plants. This layer allows fire to be slowed.

Additionally, the bright color of Phos-Chek comes from the small amount of iron that is added to the compound to alert firefighters which forest areas have already been treated.

References:
Brunning, A. Suppressing wildfires with chemistry. Chem. & Eng. News. 2019, 97, 33.

Yu, A. C.; Reinhart, M.; Hunter, R.; Lu, K.; Maikawa, C. L.; Rajakaruna, N.; Acosta, J. D.; Stubler, C.; Appel, C.; Appel, E. A. Seasonal Impact of Phosphate-Based Fire Retardants on Soil Chemistry Following the Prophylactic Treatment of Vegetation. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2021, 55, 2316-2323.

Organic Chemistry Fun Fact Day 20:

Did you know that many of your emotions can be controlled by organic chemistry? Your brain produces neurotransmitters, or chemicals that relay signals throughout the body. These neurotransmitters can be released in response to external stress, happiness, fear, and other factors around you that cause a certain emotion/feeling. Neurotransmitters often are made of organic molecules that interact in your body to produce the responses to such environmental factors.

You may know about some neurotransmitters already! Adrenaline is an organic molecule (shown in the pictures) that is released in response to stress and/or fear. It causes an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and heavy breathing. Similarly, cortisol (also shown in the photos) is another molecule and neurotransmitter that is released under the same circumstances (stress). For a few examples, your brain may signal the release of cortisol and adrenaline when you go on a roller coaster, exercise, or watch a horror movie.

Another neurotransmitter you may be familiar with is dopamine. Dopamine (unlabeled molecule in photos) is a neurotransmitter that is released during activities in which your brain associates with enjoyment. Dopamine allows you to feel happiness when you see a loved one or eat good food. On the other hand, dopamine may also be released during drug use, which explains how people become addicted to drugs. Their brain craves the release of dopamine drug use gives their body.

Sources:

Brunning, A. The Science of Fear. Chem. & Eng. News. 2020, 98.

Pietrangelo, A. How Does Dopamine Affect the Body? 2019. https://www.healthline.com/health/dopamine-effects.

Organic Chemistry Fun Fact Day 19:

Welcome to the final week of organic chemistry fun facts!

Today, let's look at yet another everyday application of organic chemistry reactions. Did you know that soap is made through an organic reaction? The reaction is called saponification and it produces the molecules that mainly make up soap.

The reaction involves using fats (such as animal fats) and/or oils make the soap molecules. The animal fats contain functional groups, combinations of atoms that make up part of a molecule, called esters. An ester contains two oxygen atoms within its functional group. I've attached a photo of an example of an ester below!

After treating animal fat with sodium hydroxide (another type of compound), the sodium hydroxide reacts with the esters on the fat molecules to produce soap molecules!

In a 2015 American Chemical Society publication, it was shown that soap can be made in an evironmentally friendly way by using oil from avocados!

Source: Sutheimer, S.; Caster, M. J.; Smith, S. H. Green Soap: An Extraction and Saponification of Avocado Oil. J. Chem. Educ. 2015, 92, 1763-1765.

Organic Chemistry Fun Fact Day 18:

Did you know that organic reactions are happening while cooking? You have most likely performed a chemical reaction in your own kitchen without even knowing it!

The most commonly known reaction that occurs while cooking and baking is referred to as the Maillard reaction. It has been said that the Maillard reaction is the "most widely practiced chemical reaction in the world", given that anyone can do it from the comfort of their own home!

This reaction was discovered in 1912 and explains the browning that occurs while making many different foods, such as bread, meat, cookies, popcorn, and numerous other types of food. The Maillard reaction involves the reaction between sugar molecules and amino acids (proteins) within food to produce hundreds of different molecules that affect taste, smell, texture, and color of the food being made. The reaction only works in temperatures above 285°F, hence why most recipes require baking/cooking in an oven above 300°F. An example of a molecule formed from a Maillard reaction is 2,3-butanedione (shown in the photos), a molecule that contributes to the odor and flavor of both popcorn and grilled steak. Also in the photos, I have included a series of products that may form from a Maillard reaction and their associated scents/tastes.

So next time you go to cook dinner, think about the Maillard reaction you're performing to make that delicious meal!

Only one week of fun facts left to go!

Sources:
Everts, S. The Maillard Reaction Turns 100. Chem. & Eng. News. 2012, 90.

Organic Chemistry Fun Fact Day 17:

We've all know that ci******es have been found to cause many types of cancer, but what actually makes them be so carcinogenic? Let organic chemistry answer that question!

Cigarette smoke contains Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are a type of molecule that contain many carbons that form a ring structure. I've included a photo of examples of PAH below. Here's a breakdown of why polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are named the way they are:

Polycyclic: PAH have many rings bonded together
Aromatic: This class of molecules contains carbon chains that form a ring, which are called aromatic rings (among other factors we will not discuss for ease)
Hydrocarbons: PAH contain solely carbon and hydrogen

PAH are extremely toxic. When they are intoduced into the body (typically via the lungs when cigarette smoke is inhaled), they are metabolized in the body and processed. When PAH are processed in the body, the new molecules formed (known as epoxides) are able to bind to your DNA and cause DNA mutations. Over time, these mutations can lead to cancer. In a 2010 study, it was found that PAH were metabolized extremely rapidly in smokers, leading to increased DNA mutations in a shorter amount of time (Zhong et al., 2010).

Source:
Zhong, Y.; Carmella, S. G.; Upadhyaya, P.; Hochalter, J. B.; Rauch, D.; Oliver, A.; Jensen, J.; Hatsukami, D.; Wang, J.; Zimmerman, C.; Hecht, S. S. Immediate Consequences of Cigarette Smoking: Rapid Formation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Diol Expoxides. Chem. Res. Toxicol. 2010, 24, 246-252.

Organic Chemistry Fun Fact Day 16:

(+)-Citronellal is an extremely universal organic molecule that is used in everyday life! Does the name look familiar? That is because (+)-Citronellal is the main contributor to the classic lemon scent of Citronella oil. 🍋 You may recognize that Citronella candles contain the oil that allows mosquitos and other pests to be repelled. Therefore, citronella candles contain (+)-Citronellal! Also, you may have household cleansers that contain this molecule, as it has some mild cleansing properties. Bonus fun fact: a mixture of Citronellal, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and peroxysulfate has been found to be a deodorizer of liquid manure (I've linked the patent for it below!)

Citronellal can be found naturally in Citronella oil and/or eucalyptus oils. However, another process known as the Takasago Process may be used to form the molecule synthetically (this is the same process that makes menthol, which is used for medicinal purposes).

Source:

Lenardao, E. J.; Botteselle, G. V.; Azambuja, F.; Perin, G.; Jacob, R. G. Citronellal as key compound in organic synthesis. Tetrahedron. 2007, 63, 6671-6712.

Otlewski, H.; Dunkel, J.; Kochmann, W.; Matschiner, H.; Keinfeld, R.; Roesch, W.; Process for deodorization of liquid manure. German patent DE19724729. December 12, 1998.

Organic Chemistry Fun Fact Day 15:

Did you know there's organic chemistry involved in film photographs and movies?

When film motion picture was first introduced, Nitrocellulose films were mainly used to display the scenes that would come together to form a motion film. Cellulose nitrate (molecule shown in the photos) was originally used as the coating on film that allowed the pictures to be exposed on the film. However, Cellulose nitrate is an unstable molecule. It breaks down and burns on its own, releasing toxic, flammable gases over time- it is even able to do this without being exposed to air! There is oxygen present in the molecule of Cellulose nitrate that makes it able to burn/degrade without air. It is for this reason that Cellulose acetate (shown below also) was replaced in the 1950s as the common compound used on film rolls. Cellulose acetate is much cheaper and more stable than Cellulose nitrate.

Only 6 fun facts (2 weeks worth!) left! Like and comment as much as possible before time runs out!

Source:

Toxic gas formed by decomposing cellulose nitrate may build up hazardous pressures. Chem. Eng. News. 1952, 30, 2610-2612.

Organic Chemistry Fun Fact Day 13:

In the spirit of Halloween, let's learn about the organic chemistry of an Autumn classic- pumpkins! There are many different types of organic molecules that affect the color, smell, and flavors of a pumpkin. 🎃

In terms of color, the classic orange color of pumpkins comes from a quite large molecule known as β-carotene. You may have heard of this name before, as it is the same molecule that gives carrots their coloration.

Remember my previous fun fact about cutting onions and releasing Propanethial-S-oxide that burns your eyes? Pumpkins also release a molecule when cut called cis-3-hexen-1-ol (among others), which gives off the classic pumpkin smell we know and love 😊 In a study (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00380768.1995.10419589), it was found that another molecule called DMS (which is relatively common in organic reactions) also accounts for some of the smell of pumpkins.

Sources:

Brunning, A. Periodic Graphics: The Chemistry of Pumpkins. https://cen.acs.org/articles/93/i40/Periodic-Graphics-Chemistry-Pumpkins.html (accessed October 31, 2021).

Kanda, K.; Tsuruta, H. Emissions of sulfur gases from various types of terrestrial higher plants. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 2012, 41, 321-328.

Organic Chemistry Fun Fact Day 12:

Hydrazine is an organic molecule used as a propellant and one of the main molecules found in rocket fuel! Hydrazine was first prepared in 1887, but a method called the "Raschig process" was found to be the best way to produce it commercially in 1906. The Raschig process involves using sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) to oxidize ammonia (NH3), which creates hydrazine. I've included a reaction equation below for the Raschig process and outlined hydrazine.

Interestingly, the Raschig process was first used to make hydrazine large-scale during World War II for use in ME-163 fighter planes.

Looking deeper into the chemistry behind hydrazine, it is very useful due to its simple, yet versatile structure. Hydrazine (shown below) contains two nitrogen atoms and four hydrogen atoms. It has lots of different applications besides rocket fuel and propellants. It is used to make certain pesticides, act as an anticorrosive in boilers, among many other uses.

References:

Encyclopedia Britannica. Hydrazine. https://www.britannica.com/science/hydrazine (accessed Oct 28, 2021).

Cardulla, F. Hydrazine. Journal of Chemical Education. 1983, 60, 505.

Organic Chemistry Fun Fact Day 11:

If you've seen any of my previous video fun facts, you may have heard me mention the term "aromatic" or "benzene ring". To reiterate, a benzene ring is an aromatic molecule made up of six carbons that form a circular structure. I've included a benzene molecule below. Benzene is an extremely useful molecule in the organic chemistry world, as it can be made into large, complex molecules!

Below I've included a molecule that looks quite complex and contains lots of benzene rings. While this may look foreign, it's actually the molecule for coal! As you can see, the orange boxes in the image show the sections of this molecule that contain benzene rings.

Given the complex nature and unique structure of coal, when it is combusted, the molecule can break down into smaller aromatics that can be used as energy sources!

Reference:

Klein, D. R. Organic Chemistry, 4; Wiley & Sons, 2021.