• Question: What element is your favourite and why?

    • Keywords:
      • Click on a keyword to find out more on the RSC site:
      Asked by Dr Sibley to John, Laura, Luke, Rob, Ruth on 16 Jun 2016.
      • Photo: Laura Finney

        Laura Finney answered on 16 Jun 2016:

        I really like palladium as it is so versatile. It can do so many different reactions! Someone won a nobel prize for their work with palladium as it was so important!

      • Photo: John Fossey

        John Fossey answered on 16 Jun 2016:

        Platinum is the best – its a precious metal (my wedding ring is made of it), but it can work as a Lewis acid and pi-acid catalyst. Its NMR active. It also is used in medicine cis-platin for treating cancer for example.

      • Photo: Luke Williams

        Luke Williams answered on 16 Jun 2016:

        Carbon – foundation of all biology and life!

    Comments