大象传媒

Brian Cox describes the work of William Perkin as he attempted to find a way to make synthetic quinine to treat malaria. Perkin started with a similar chemical to quinine (aniline, or phenylamine) and tried to oxidise it with potassium dichromate. He produced a dark precipitate which seemed to stain anything it touched purple. Purifying this gave him the purple dye mauveine. This dye became popular after Queen Victoria wore clothes dyed with it. This discovery initiated a revolution in synthetic chemistry. Cox reflects that Perkin鈥檚 curiosity and freedom to explore science and unexpected results were essential elements in this important discovery.