David Walker
@mrwalkerlasa.bsky.social
High School Science Teacher
Looks like d atomic orbitals can also combine to form sigma (σ) and pi (π) molecular orbitals, but also a third type called delta (δ)! More about that here: chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/...
September 9, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Looks like d atomic orbitals can also combine to form sigma (σ) and pi (π) molecular orbitals, but also a third type called delta (δ)! More about that here: chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/...
A rare example of a pi bond without an accompanying sigma bond: www.chemistryworld.com/news/new-sil...
New silicon–silicon bond is a rare example of a π bond without a σ bond
Discovery made in silicon analogue of bicyclobutane
www.chemistryworld.com
September 9, 2025 at 10:15 PM
A rare example of a pi bond without an accompanying sigma bond: www.chemistryworld.com/news/new-sil...
Great questions in class today regarding the possibility of quadruple bonds. It's quite rare for atoms in the s- and p-blocks of the periodic table, but here's a relatively recently discovered example: cen.acs.org/physical-che...
Boron makes quadruple bond with rhodium
RhB is the first diatomic molecule with a four-fold bond to boron
cen.acs.org
September 9, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Great questions in class today regarding the possibility of quadruple bonds. It's quite rare for atoms in the s- and p-blocks of the periodic table, but here's a relatively recently discovered example: cen.acs.org/physical-che...
Great questions during today's class! Here's a short video from recent Nobel Prize winner Carolyn Bertozzi explaining the chemistry behind why neuraminidase inhibitors (such as Tamiflu) work as flu drugs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8V_...
Tamiflu and Relenza - Carolyn Bertozzi (Berkeley/HHMI)
YouTube video by iBiology Techniques
www.youtube.com
September 2, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Great questions during today's class! Here's a short video from recent Nobel Prize winner Carolyn Bertozzi explaining the chemistry behind why neuraminidase inhibitors (such as Tamiflu) work as flu drugs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8V_...
A wonderful infographic on solvent systems in organic chemistry. We'll be using many of these this semester!
Chemistry has the solutions, and for solutions, you need solvents!
This graphic, produced for IMPACTIVE, looks at the different categories of solvents and some examples of their uses: wp.me/s4aPLT-solve...
#ChemSky 🧪
This graphic, produced for IMPACTIVE, looks at the different categories of solvents and some examples of their uses: wp.me/s4aPLT-solve...
#ChemSky 🧪
September 2, 2025 at 9:36 PM
A wonderful infographic on solvent systems in organic chemistry. We'll be using many of these this semester!
A relevant post from @compoundchem.com given the recent heat in central Texas :)
From sunburn to swimming pools, the sun triggers chemical reactions all around us. The latest edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social shines a light on some of the molecular transformations driven by the sun's rays: cen.acs.org/physical-che...
#ChemSky 🧪
#ChemSky 🧪
September 2, 2025 at 9:34 PM
A relevant post from @compoundchem.com given the recent heat in central Texas :)
Reposted by David Walker
Researchers analysed 25,000 natural adhesives to understand what makes a strong glue. Based on this they created new formulations that are stronger than any similar substances found in nature.
New adhesive is so sticky it can glue a rubber duck to a seaside rock
Features of 25,000 biological adhesives analysed to create glues stronger than any found in nature
www.chemistryworld.com
August 13, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Researchers analysed 25,000 natural adhesives to understand what makes a strong glue. Based on this they created new formulations that are stronger than any similar substances found in nature.
Reposted by David Walker
A circular molecule made up of just 48 carbons has been stabilised using macrocycles. This has allowed this kind of normally fleeting carbon allotrope to be bottled and investigated
www.chemistryworld.com/news/ring-of...
www.chemistryworld.com/news/ring-of...
Ring of pure carbon stabilised by its catenane connections
C48 carbon allotrope can be isolated in solution
www.chemistryworld.com
August 15, 2025 at 9:41 AM
A circular molecule made up of just 48 carbons has been stabilised using macrocycles. This has allowed this kind of normally fleeting carbon allotrope to be bottled and investigated
www.chemistryworld.com/news/ring-of...
www.chemistryworld.com/news/ring-of...
Reposted by David Walker
There's an acid that's everywhere, from city streets to rock faces. The chemical is usnic acid and it's found in lichen – but in order to benefit from its attributes, it's going to take some work to deal with the toxicity that comes with it.
Exploring the potential uses of usnic acid
As well as protecting lichen, this compound could have medical and cosmetic applications - if toxicity concerns can be overcome
www.chemistryworld.com
August 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM
There's an acid that's everywhere, from city streets to rock faces. The chemical is usnic acid and it's found in lichen – but in order to benefit from its attributes, it's going to take some work to deal with the toxicity that comes with it.
Reposted by David Walker
During the process, Collins’ team synthesised 24 of the AI-generated compounds, with two molecules, called NG1 and DN1, standing out.
Antibiotics designed with the help of AI attack bacteria in entirely new ways
Two new compounds display potent activity against deadly drug-resistant bacteria
www.chemistryworld.com
August 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM
During the process, Collins’ team synthesised 24 of the AI-generated compounds, with two molecules, called NG1 and DN1, standing out.
Infrared spectroscopy with machine learning detects early wood coating deterioration: phys.org/news/2025-04...
Infrared spectroscopy with machine learning detects early wood coating deterioration
From the Japanese cypress to the ponderosa pine, wood has been used in construction for millennia. Though materials like steel and concrete have largely taken over large building construction, wood is...
phys.org
May 12, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Infrared spectroscopy with machine learning detects early wood coating deterioration: phys.org/news/2025-04...
Infrared spectroscopy as a method for population-level health screening: optics.org/news/15/7/38
May 12, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Infrared spectroscopy as a method for population-level health screening: optics.org/news/15/7/38
University of Georgia installs 1.1 gigahertz NMR, one of nation's largest, to analyze complex carbohydrates: research.uga.edu/news/uga-ins... @universityofga.bsky.social @ugaresearch.bsky.social
UGA installs one of country’s most powerful NMR spectrometers - UGA Research News
The University of Georgia Complex Carbohydrate Research Center (CCRC) is now home to a new, multimillion-dollar 1.1 gigahertz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, giving UGA one of the most ...
research.uga.edu
May 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
University of Georgia installs 1.1 gigahertz NMR, one of nation's largest, to analyze complex carbohydrates: research.uga.edu/news/uga-ins... @universityofga.bsky.social @ugaresearch.bsky.social
We spoke at length about proton NMR spectroscopy, but recall there are many other types. Here's an overview of another very useful type of NMR involving C-13 nuclei: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKm0...
Carbon-13 NMR Spectroscopy Explained
YouTube video by Lucas Learns
www.youtube.com
May 12, 2025 at 6:22 PM
We spoke at length about proton NMR spectroscopy, but recall there are many other types. Here's an overview of another very useful type of NMR involving C-13 nuclei: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKm0...
Reposted by David Walker
Symbolism in chemistry goes back to the alchemists and still holds an important role in today's chemical practices.
www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/symb...
www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/symb...
Symbols and tables in chemistry
Looking beyond today's periodic table
www.chemistryworld.com
May 12, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Symbolism in chemistry goes back to the alchemists and still holds an important role in today's chemical practices.
www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/symb...
www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/symb...
UC Davis chemists complete total synthesis of ibogaine, a psychoactive plant derivative with anti-addictive and anti-depressant properties: www.chemistryworld.com/news/total-s... @ucdavis.bsky.social
Total synthesis of anti-addictive alkaloid in just seven steps
A streamlined synthesis of the psychoactive compound ibogaine could open up new opportunities in the treatment of drug addiction and depression
www.chemistryworld.com
April 4, 2025 at 5:42 PM
UC Davis chemists complete total synthesis of ibogaine, a psychoactive plant derivative with anti-addictive and anti-depressant properties: www.chemistryworld.com/news/total-s... @ucdavis.bsky.social
Chemists from Japan achieve first-ever total synthesis of inaoside A, a promising mushroom-derived compound, paving way for better understanding of the compound's bioactive properties: phys.org/news/2025-01...
Researchers report the first-ever total synthesis of a promising mushroom-derived compound
Natural compounds from plants and animals have long been used in drug development, but mushrooms remain underexplored despite their rich chemical potential. Now, researchers from Japan have successful...
phys.org
April 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Chemists from Japan achieve first-ever total synthesis of inaoside A, a promising mushroom-derived compound, paving way for better understanding of the compound's bioactive properties: phys.org/news/2025-01...
Scientists harness light-driven reactions to streamline development of pharmaceutical compounds: www.technologynetworks.com/drug-discove...
Scientists Harness Light-Driven Reactions To Create Key Drug Compounds
Researchers have described a novel light-driven reaction that efficiently produces tetrahydroisoquinolines, a group of chemicals that play a crucial role in medicinal chemistry.
www.technologynetworks.com
April 4, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Scientists harness light-driven reactions to streamline development of pharmaceutical compounds: www.technologynetworks.com/drug-discove...
Rice University chemists devise novel method to accelerate drug synthesis and discovery: news.rice.edu/news/2024/ne... @riceuniversity.bsky.social
April 4, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Rice University chemists devise novel method to accelerate drug synthesis and discovery: news.rice.edu/news/2024/ne... @riceuniversity.bsky.social
Reposted by David Walker
The approach sees chemical reactions take place in microdroplets before the liquid is evaporated in a stream of hot air, leaving the final product behind as a dry powder. The method is not only faster, but also makes highly pure products. #ChemSky
Spray-drying investigated as a speedy method for synthesising small organic molecules
Technique applied to Schiff-base condensations, Claisen-Schmidt reactions and amine acylations
www.chemistryworld.com
April 3, 2025 at 11:41 AM
The approach sees chemical reactions take place in microdroplets before the liquid is evaporated in a stream of hot air, leaving the final product behind as a dry powder. The method is not only faster, but also makes highly pure products. #ChemSky
Reposted by David Walker
Concerns over butter buncos exploded after French chemist Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès created oleomargarine in the late 1860s for a competition sponsored by Emperor Napoleon III. But butter bandits are still a concern today. #Chemsky #ScienceSky
I can’t believe it’s not…
The analytical techniques revealing the true identity of what you spread on your bread
www.chemistryworld.com
April 4, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Concerns over butter buncos exploded after French chemist Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès created oleomargarine in the late 1860s for a competition sponsored by Emperor Napoleon III. But butter bandits are still a concern today. #Chemsky #ScienceSky
Reposted by David Walker
The first solution synthesis of the elusive ‘Clar’s goblet’ structure – first proposed over 50 years ago – has provided the perfect platform to prove spin entanglement between non-bonded electrons. #ChemSky
‘Bowtie-shaped’ molecule displays spin entanglement
A new solution synthesis strategy could catapult quantum applications
www.chemistryworld.com
April 4, 2025 at 11:31 AM
The first solution synthesis of the elusive ‘Clar’s goblet’ structure – first proposed over 50 years ago – has provided the perfect platform to prove spin entanglement between non-bonded electrons. #ChemSky
Good questions in class regarding how the ketone functional group relates to ketoacidosis. You all knew a lot more about this than I did! Here's a good video explaining how diabetic ketoacidosis occurs: youtu.be/yIc2XFNLhm8?...
March 3, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Good questions in class regarding how the ketone functional group relates to ketoacidosis. You all knew a lot more about this than I did! Here's a good video explaining how diabetic ketoacidosis occurs: youtu.be/yIc2XFNLhm8?...
Keto-enol tautomerism in DNA nucleotides can lead to base-pair mismatching: www.nature.com/scitable/top... @naturechemistry.bsky.social
March 2, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Keto-enol tautomerism in DNA nucleotides can lead to base-pair mismatching: www.nature.com/scitable/top... @naturechemistry.bsky.social
A class of naturally occurring intermolecular Diels-Alderases and their evolutionary origin: www.nature.com/articles/s41... @naturecomms.bsky.social
The evolutionary origin of naturally occurring intermolecular Diels-Alderases from Morus alba - Nature Communications
Diels-Alderases (DAs), enzymes catalyzing [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, are of high interest, but insights into their evolution are lacking. Here, the authors investigate the evolutionary origins o...
www.nature.com
March 2, 2025 at 5:55 PM
A class of naturally occurring intermolecular Diels-Alderases and their evolutionary origin: www.nature.com/articles/s41... @naturecomms.bsky.social