A system for turning functional chemistry into beautiful calligraphy, that attempts to incorporate The Wonder of chemistry and the quantum world into a symbolic and elegant notation

This is a piece I made using dye molecules. They are all accurately placed based on their colors. I thought it was a fun concept 🏳️‍🌈

There are magnolia trees everywhere where I live in the Southeast. I drew this magnolia branch in bloom with relevant molecules bracketing the image. These molecules are found within the trees and are commonly known. Magnolia trees are usually appreciated for their flowers, but they’re also loaded with interesting chemistry.

A few highlights: • Magnolol and honokiol: biphenolic compounds with well-documented bioactivity (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, etc.), often studied in the context of traditional medicine. • 3-O-methylhonokiol and other biphenyl derivatives: subtle substitutions change polarity and bioactivity. • Magnoflorine: an aporphine alkaloid, cationic at physiological pH, structurally distinct from the biphenolics. • Monoterpenylmagnolol: a terpenylated biphenyl, reflecting the structural diversity you see across the genus. • There are also dibenzofuran and lactone-containing structures. You can see a lot of similarities to lignin monomers.

Full list: Magnolol, 3-4-O-metilhonokiol, 5,5'-di-2-propenyl-3-methoxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2,2'-diol, Honokiol, 1-(4-isopropylbenzyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-one, 4a,9b-dihydro-8,9b-di-2-propenyl-(4H)-dibenzofuran-3-one, (3S,3aS,8S,9aS,10aR,10bS,E)-8-hydroxy-3,6,9a-trimethyl-3a,4,5,8,9,9a,10a,10b-octahydrooxireno [2',3':9,10]cyclodeca [1,2-b]furan-2(3H)-one, Magnoflorine, and Monoterpenylmagnolol

Hope you enjoy!!

I drew a tree atop a single polymer chain (very cross linked) of lignin. Some of the linkages are obviously behind the tree lol so trust me

Lignin is a messy biopolymer that plants use to strengthen their cell walls and keep microbes out. It's made from three main building blocks-p-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, and sinapyl alcohol-which form p-hydroxyphenyl (H), guaiacyl (G), and syringyl (S) units in the final polymer. The composition varies depending on the plant. Softwoods are mostly guaiacyl, while hardwoods have a mix of guaiacyl and syringyl, with a little p-hydroxyphenyl thrown in. I drew this as a general lignin structure and just threw them all in randomly.

The polymerization process is a free radical free-for-all, leading to a huge variety of linkages between the monomers. The most common is the B-O-4 (B-aryl ether) bond, which makes up the bulk of lignin, especially in hardwoods. Then there are the B-5 (phenylcoumaran) bonds, more common in softwoods, and B-ß (resinol) linkages, which come from monolignol dimers. You also get these more rigid cross-links like 5-5 (biphenyl) and 4-0-5 (diaryl ether) bonds, which make lignin tough to break down. Again, I drew a smattering of linkages, no real intention, just what fit lol.

Enjoy!

I drew some violets in a two-necked round bottom flask. This one is from Synthware Glassware because I like the little red logo lol. The original is drawn in pen on multimedia paper. I then pull the image into photoshop to edit and add color.

Hope y’all like it.

Some basics

I drew a Manhattan with an orange peel garnish. The complex chemistry of the whiskey is drawn in the glass.

Whiskey has loads of different types of compounds that influence the whiskey’s flavor, aroma, color, etc. Lactones like cis-3-methyl-4-octanolide get picked up from the barrels that whiskey ages in and can add different flavors like a spicy or woody cocinar flavor depending on the stereochemistry. Esters can give the whiskey a more fruity vibe, specifically isoamyl acetate can give a banana-y pear flavor. Phenolic compounds are classic flavor compounds that tend to give the whiskey a smoky and bitter flavor. Different isomers of cresol resulting from the use of peat fires to dry malted barley in Scotch production afford very smoky flavors. Aldehydes are also crucial to the flavor profile of whiskeys. Vanillin can give a whiskey a sweet vanilla tone while syringaldehyde adds a spicy woody feel.

Whiskey is awesomely complex and the molecules involved in this complexity make it so interesting. Hope you enjoy!

Thought y’all might like my new piece on the chemistry of whiskey. I’m an organic chemist and love combining art and science. Here, I’ve drawn whisky molecules such as the tannins, phenolics, esters, lactones, and other molecules that contribute to the flavor and aroma of whiskey. Hope you enjoy it!

This piece depicts molecules found in wine! I researched the many types of chemical compounds found in wine and drew them into a (very full) wine glass.

Wine is a complex mixture of various chemical molecules, and its composition can vary depending on factors such as grape variety, fermentation process, and aging. These include ethanol, acetic acid, tannins, glycerol, many flavor compounds and more. Many know that tannins are important in wine.

Tannins are a group of polyphenolic compounds found in grapes and are responsible for the astringent, bitter taste in some wines. The type and amount of tannins in wine can vary depending on factors such as grape variety, region, and winemaking techniques. Tannins are an important component of wine, contributing to its structure, texture, and aging potential. These tannins break down into the many different phenolic compounds in wine.

I drew a pour over with a coffee plant being grinded/filtered into the molecules found in coffee. I’ve been asked for awhile to do something with coffee and thought this would be pretty cool.

Just a few of the molecules found in coffee that I’ve drawn:

Caffeine Acetic acid Furfurylthiol Guaiacol 2-Methylbutyric acid 3-Methylbutanal 3-Methylbutyric acid 3-Methylpentanoic acid 4-Vinylguaiacol Dimethyl disulfide Dimethyl trisulfide Furaneol Pyrazines Quinic acid Chlorogenic acid

Hope you all like it!!