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compoundchem.com
December is upon us so it's #ChemAdvent season again!

Here's a rundown of the chemistry advent calendars I've put together over the years 🧵

#ChemSky 🧪
Image of colourful numbered fullerene baubles with the title "Chemistry Advent" at the bottom
November 30, 2024 at 9:18 PM
chronicleflask.katday.com
Yay, it’s time for #ChemAdvent! Enjoy Christmassy things while also learning some #Chemistry, courtesy of the always brilliant Compound Interest 🧪⚗️
compoundchem.com Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · Dec 1
A bit late kicking off #ChemAdvent day 1, but here we are!

This year I'm finding chemical connections between some previous ChemAdvent editions 🧪

First up, earthy pyrazines are the connection between the smells of chocolate and green bean casserole 🍫
Infographics on the chemistry of chocolate smell and the flavour chemistry of green bean casserole. The two are linked by the presence of earthy pyrazines. Infographics on the chemistry of chocolate smell and the flavour chemistry of green bean casserole. The two are linked by the presence of earthy pyrazines.
December 1, 2025 at 10:18 PM
compoundchem.com
I can’t believe I’ve never made a graphic on the Christmas highlight that is pigs in blankets, but here’s this school @thamesvalleyrsc.bsky.social #ChemAdvent entry that covers them
rsc.org Royal Society of Chemistry @rsc.org · Dec 2
Peeking behind the scenes of your holiday feast! 🎄 It's all about Pigs in Blankets. 🔬✨
Poster for Chemistry Advent 2024 titled 'The Chemistry Behind Pigs in Blankets', featuring a list of nutrients found in bacon and sausages, their health benefits, and a mention of Magdalen College School.
December 2, 2024 at 3:46 PM
compoundchem.com
And while there's no totally new #ChemAdvent this year, look out for something from me and @chronicleflask.katday.com starting tomorrow...
November 30, 2024 at 9:45 PM
compoundchem.com
I've teamed up with @chronicleflask.katday.com for this year's #ChemAdvent and she's also sharing some festive chemistry facts
chronicleflask.katday.com Dr Kat Day (she/her) 🌖 @chronicleflask.katday.com · Dec 1
Okay, let’s go! #ChemAdvent24

1. Chocolate contains many chemicals. One is the alkaloid theobromine, C₇H₈N₄O₂. It’s a stimulant (the similar caffeine has an extra CH₃). The ‘brom’ doesn’t mean bromine; it comes from the Greek ‘broma’ – food. ‘Theo’ means god so, literally, ‘food of the gods’ 🎅🏻
December 1, 2024 at 6:06 PM
compoundchem.com
A bit late kicking off #ChemAdvent day 1, but here we are!

This year I'm finding chemical connections between some previous ChemAdvent editions 🧪

First up, earthy pyrazines are the connection between the smells of chocolate and green bean casserole 🍫
Infographics on the chemistry of chocolate smell and the flavour chemistry of green bean casserole. The two are linked by the presence of earthy pyrazines. Infographics on the chemistry of chocolate smell and the flavour chemistry of green bean casserole. The two are linked by the presence of earthy pyrazines.
December 1, 2025 at 10:10 PM
compoundchem.com
Brussels sprouts and Finnish lanttulaatikko feature in day 5 of #ChemAdvent. Their chemical connection is glucosinolates, bitter compounds in sprouts and swedes.

Genetic variations in people affect the perception of this bitterness – so if you're not a sprouts fan, that could be why!

#ChemSky 🧪
December 5, 2025 at 9:44 AM
compoundchem.com
Day 5 of #ChemAdvent looks at cooling candy canes – they make your mouth feel cold when you eat them due to a particular compound in peppermint

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on candy canes showing the chemical structures of sucrose (what the candy cane is made from) and menthol (found in peppermint flavouring). Menthol triggers cold-sensitive receptors and makes your mouth feel cold.
December 5, 2024 at 6:27 PM
compoundchem.com
And here's today's @thamesvalleyrsc.bsky.social student ChemAdvent entry on smells of the season
rsc.org Royal Society of Chemistry @rsc.org · Dec 18
Gingerbread, mulled wine, and the warmth of cinnamon. Join us in the Christmas countdown with the @thamesvalleyrsc.bsky.social #adventcalendar #ChemSky 🎄🔬 @compoundchem.com
Illustrated poster titled "The Smells of Gingerbread" featuring colourful sections with text and drawings. Each section discusses different aromas associated with gingerbread, such as cinnamon, orange, pine, mulled wine, and cloves, accompanied by related illustrations like a Christmas tree and gingerbread figures.
December 18, 2024 at 9:25 PM
topoesfera.aldea.social
Mirad @bluesandgossips.bsky.social y @tiposfera.aldea.social
Un calendario de adviento de química relacionada con la Navidad. Es 😍
#ChemAdvent
compoundchem.com Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · Dec 1
A bit late kicking off #ChemAdvent day 1, but here we are!

This year I'm finding chemical connections between some previous ChemAdvent editions 🧪

First up, earthy pyrazines are the connection between the smells of chocolate and green bean casserole 🍫
Infographics on the chemistry of chocolate smell and the flavour chemistry of green bean casserole. The two are linked by the presence of earthy pyrazines. Infographics on the chemistry of chocolate smell and the flavour chemistry of green bean casserole. The two are linked by the presence of earthy pyrazines.
December 24, 2025 at 11:27 AM
toptags.bsky.social
🚀 BlueSky trending hashtags (15m):

#chemsky #chemadvent #booksky #últimahora #gamedev #indiegame #indiegamedev #reisstory #sciencefiction #scifi #fantasyart #birdphotography #birding #warblerwednesday #lookingatyou #nature #birdoftheday #photography #art #birds
December 3, 2025 at 11:19 AM
compoundchem.com
Here's the traditional #ChemAdvent, covering a range of common (UK) festive traditions and some of the chemistry behind them: www.compoundchem.com/2017advent/
Image showing several of the chemistry advent graphics, covering topics including Christmas trees, baubles, poinsettia, snow globes and more.
November 30, 2024 at 9:22 PM
compoundchem.com
The chemical connection for day 3 of #ChemAdvent is furfural: adding nutty flavours to both roasted chestnuts and turrón, the Spanish Christmas sweet 🌰

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographics on chestnuts and turrón, showing some of the chemical compounds, including furfural, that contribute to their nutty flavours. Infographics on chestnuts and turrón, showing some of the chemical compounds, including furfural, that contribute to their nutty flavours.
December 3, 2025 at 11:14 AM
compoundchem.com
Day 4 of #ChemAdvent has a polymer theme!

Long polymer chains are key to sodium polyacrylate's ability to act as fake snow, and also form the water-trapping network in aspic jellies.

#ChemSky 🧪
Two infographics, one showing how sodium polyacrylate chains form fake snow, the other showing how gelatin polymers trap water to make jelly. Two infographics, one showing how sodium polyacrylate chains form fake snow, the other showing how gelatin polymers trap water to make jelly.
December 4, 2025 at 5:15 PM
compoundchem.com
It's Christmas Eve and the final day of #ChemAdvent!

We're finishing off with Christmas pudding and why you shouldn't hide a coin in the mixture as was customary in the past 🪙

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on the chemistry of Christmas puddings. The graphic shows the chemical structures of tartaric acid (from raisins) and citric acid (from citrus peel). It also explains how the custom of hiding small silver coins in the mixture is not advisable with modern coiins due to their nickel content.
December 24, 2025 at 11:14 AM
compoundchem.com
#ChemAdvent, even!
December 6, 2025 at 9:45 AM
compoundchem.com
St Lucia's Day links day 13 of #ChemAdvent: The saint is often depicted with a wreath of candles around her head, and in Sweden they celebrate with saffron buns (lussekatter)

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic showing how a blown-out candle can relight when a match is held in its smoke trail. The “smoke” is wax vapour that ignites. An example wax combustion equation is also shown. Infographic about Swedish lussekatter saffron buns. Saffron gives colour via crocin and flavour from picrocrocin and safranal, the molecular structures of which are shown.
December 13, 2025 at 9:15 AM
compoundchem.com
Terpenes unite the graphics for day 21 of #ChemAdvent

Menthol in candy canes is responsible for the cooling sensation in your mouth when you eat one ❄️

The muddy flavour of carp is dominated by the compound geosmin, another terpene 🐟

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on candy canes. The chemical structures of sucrose and menthol are shown. Menthol from peppermint triggers cold-sensitive receptors when eaten, making your mouth feel cold. Infographic on carp. The earthy flavour of freshwater fish is due to the compound geosmin, produced by bacteria. The structure of geosmin is shown.
December 21, 2025 at 10:15 AM
compoundchem.com
Today is #NationalPoinsettiaDay! Here’s one from the #ChemAdvent archives on how poinsettia can be used as a pH indicator: www.compoundchem.com/2017advent/2...
Infographic on poinsettia plant use as a pH indicator, showing the structure of the anthocyanin compounds that give it colour at different pH values.
December 12, 2023 at 8:45 AM
compoundchem.com
Mulled wine and tangyuan for day 19 of #ChemAdvent!

Both wine and tangyuan contain long, chainlike molecules. In wine, it's the polymeric tannins that influence astringency and mouthfeel.

In tangyuan, made from glutinous rice flour, branched chains of amylopectin make the rice sticky.

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on mulled wine, showing the structures of two key flavour compenents: eugenol from cloves and cinnamaldehyde from cinnamon. Infographic on tangyuan, Chinese dumplings made from glutinous rice flour. Low amylose content and higher amylopectin content makes glutinous rice sticky. Simplified structures of amylose and amylopectin are shown.
December 19, 2025 at 9:15 AM
toptags.bsky.social
🚀 BlueSky trending hashtags (15m):

#booksky #art #chemadvent #birds #chemistry #photography #furryart #gamedev #writing #books #folha #furry #digitalart #filmsky #christmas
December 1, 2025 at 10:30 PM
toptags.bsky.social
🚀 BlueSky trending hashtags (15m):

#booksky #art #birds #furryart #photography #furry #gamedev #digitalart #writing #chemadvent #opendata #writesky #books #data #frogs
December 1, 2025 at 10:15 PM
compoundchem.com
Decorations and wrapping for day 17 of #ChemAdvent!

Baubles were traditionally silvered using the reduction of silver nitrate with glucose - a chemical test used in classrooms to detect aldehydes.

Wrapping paper and tape are both cellulose-based 🎁

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on how baubles are silvered using silver nitrate solution, concentrated ammonia and glucose solution. Glucose reduces the silver ions to silver metal. The chemical structures of silver nitrate and glucose are shown. Infographic on wrapping paper and tape. Both are based on cellulose, with tape also containing a pressure-sensitive acrylic or rubber-based adhesive. The structure of cellulose is shown.
December 17, 2025 at 11:15 AM
compoundchem.com
Very contrasting smells for day 18 of #ChemAdvent!

Olibanic acid isomers contribute to the fragrance of Frankincense, traditionally associated with Christmas.

The aroma of hákarl, fermented Greenland shark, is a much less welcome one, dominated by ammonia and other pungent compounds.

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on frankincense, showing the chemical structure of olibanic acid isomers, the key compounds responsible for the characteristic aroma of frankincense. Infographic on harkal, fermented Greenland shark, traditionally eaten ad part of the mid-winter festival Þorrablót. It contains urea, trimethylamine oxide and ammonia, which dominate the pungent smell and taste of the fish.
December 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
compoundchem.com
Day 9's #ChemAdvent entries are linked by ginger - a key component of gingerbread and also one of the spices found in rooster doro wat, an Ethiopian spicy chicken stew eaten after periods of fasting, including at Christmas 🫚

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on gingerbread graphic that highlights the chemical transformation that ginger undergoes when cooked, and shows the chemical structures of gingerol (before cooking) and zingerone (after cooking). Infographic on rooster doro wat that highlights the ingredients of the spice mix used, including holy basil, cardamom, fenugreek and ginger. The structures of sotolon (component of fenugreek), linalool (component of coriander seeds) and 1,8-cineole (component of cardamom seeds) are shown.
December 9, 2025 at 11:30 AM