Anales de Química de la RSEQ

The text is an example of the difficulty of studying microscopic phenomena with tools designed for the study of molecules, due to the magnitude of Avogradro's number.

Keywords: Navier-Stokes, drop of water, Avogadro

The great advances experienced in the development of cutting-edge, reliable and multipurpose (bio)electroanalytical technologies and their successful incursion into little-explored scenarios have demonstrated their unique potential to act as facilitators of cutting-edge health and more efficient and sustainable healthcare systems. It is in this hopeful context that this article focuses on, prepared by invitation for the recognition with one of the awards for Research Excellence granted by the RSEQ in its 2024 edition to the research that I have been fortunate enough to orchestrate in the company of the best collaborators, and in which, in addition to highlighting some of the most representative, a personal and generous vision of the imminent purposes is offered.

Keywords: (bio)electroanalytical technologies, precision medicine, personalized nutrition, cutting-edge health

Advances in synthetic methods for the effective functionalization of boron clusters have been crucial for their practical application in various fields. This article highlights the achievements in the areas of polymers, catalysis, sensors, and medicine in which I have participated with Francesc Teixidor throughout my scientific career at ICMAB-CSIC.

Keywords: carborane, metallabis(dicarbollide), COSAN, BNCT, proton therapy

This paper reviews the general thermodynamic criteria for both the spontaneity and equilibrium of a chemical reaction. For this purpose, it defines the quantities ΔᵣG, ΔᵣG⁰, ΔG and ΔG⁰. Also, the mathematical relationships that exist among them are provided. It focuses on the calculation of ΔᵣG, as well as on the meaning of its values. This theoretical foundation allows us to compare the treatment usually given to these quantities in university general chemistry textbooks with that which corresponds to official assessment exams at pre-university level. The results obtained reveal the existence of widespread confusion regarding the spontaneity and chemical equilibrium criteria, as well as the units in which the associated quantities are expressed.

Keywords: spontaneity, chemical equilibrium, free energy of reaction, units , errors

Effervescent tablets are lozenges containing acidic and basic reagents which, when combined with water, quickly
interact via a neutralization reaction, releasing gaseous carbon dioxide. They offer an efficient method of taking
medications or supplements because they are distributed more quickly and evenly than conventional pills, resulting
in faster absorption an action. This article covers such aspects as the characteristics of effervescent tablets, the
manufacturing and acting process, and a quantitative analysis method (gravimetry) to determine their composition. In addition to being an interesting teaching resource, effervescent tablets are a good example of chemistry applications related to health, hygiene and general well-being.

Keywords: effervescent tablets, antacids, gravimetry, stoichiometry, limiting reagent

This brief text was read on September 27, 2024, in the CSIC Auditorium. It differs only in the figures who attempt to remember its protagonists. It is not history, but simply memories, which the author wanted and wishes to share
with Spanish chemists, past and present.

Keywords: memories of the CSIC, Ramón Madroñero, Manuel Lora Tamayo, UNED, Napoleón

Since the end of the 90’s, San Sebastian/Donostia has seen the progressive establishment of research centers of all kinds linked, in many cases, to Chemistry and Physics. Several members of the Faculty of Chemistry, now celebrating its 50th anniversary and located in that city, have actively participated in this establishment. In this article we review the historical precedents of the creation of the Faculty and, subsequently, highlight the most relevant characteristics of the aforementioned Centers.

Keywords: history of the Faculty, chemistry in Euskadi, research, transfer, education

Clothing has always been very important in the first impression a person makes. In this sense, dyes, both of vegetable and animal origin, used to provide textile fibres with various stable colours different from those they have by nature, are very important. Throughout history, the substances used have evolved, as well as consumer preferences.

Keywords: dyes, colourants, History of Chemistry, colour

A brief historical analysis is carried out concerning the vectorial representation of the electric dipolar moment in chemistry. This convention, which is the opposite of the one adopted in physics, has its origin in the works that Sidgwick published in the early 1930s and was consolidated in the following decades. Specifically, authors of chemistry textbooks mostly adopted the chemical direction of this vector. Only at the end of the last century did some authors of physical chemistry textbooks begin to use the physical convention, but organic chemistry and general chemistry textbooks still follow the historical tradition of drawing an arrow pointing toward the most electronegative atom of a covalent bond, with a + sign at its tail. It is concluded that this representation does not involve holding any misconception, contrary to what some authors have pointed out.

Keywords: electric dipole moment, vector direction, historical convention in chemistry, chemistry textbooks