The rod-shaped molecule contains two stations, where one, benzaldehyde, works as the site where the reactions occur, and the second one – a photoswitch terminated heptyl is the reaction regulator.

And benzaldehyde is just one of many aldehyde vape flavorings, Bernardino de la Serna adds. Others, like vanillin and cinnamaldehyde, likely also form acetals that interact with surfactant.

The properties of flat aromatic molecules are well known to chemists, but some non-planar aromatics remain a mystery. A molecule that can twist into a Möbius band on command might shed light on ...