Hi, May's Molecule of the Month is osmium tetroxide, which gained notoriety a couple of weeks ago in the Uk media as it was implicated as the possible chemical component in a terrorist 'dirty bomb'. The MOTM page shows that OsO4 has a good side too, in that it is used by chemists for a variety of useful applications. It has been written by Dr Mike Thompson of Uppingham School, Rutland, and is available in many different formats. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/Chemistry/MOTM/motm.htm#may2004 Regards, ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Paul May, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, UK tel: +44 (0)117 928-9927 fax: +44 (0)117 925-1295 <mailto:paul.may@bris.ac.uk> Mobile: 07811371539 Home URL: <http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Chemistry/staff/pwm.htm> Molecule of the Month: <http://www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/Chemistry/MOTM/motm.htm> Bumper sticker: "Where are we going? And why are we in this hand-basket?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------