Exploring Molecular Representations in Film and Culinary Arts

It can be quite surprising when chemical compounds make their way into popular culture. Earlier this year, I found myself entertained while watching the UK zombie thriller "28 Years Later." As a fan of horror films, I was particularly amused when benzene received a mention.

Benzene and the Explosive Scene

In a tense scene, Erik, a stranded Swedish soldier portrayed by Edvin Ryding, rescues the main characters, Isla (Jodie Comer) and Spike (Alfie Williams), from rage-infected individuals pursuing them into an abandoned gas station. Upon entering, Isla is immediately overwhelmed by a purple gas hovering at eye level. Yet, driven by survival instinct, they press on until Erik intervenes. He opens a skylight, urges everyone to get down, and fires his rifle at the infected, causing a dramatic explosion that leaves them shaken but unharmed.

When Spike asks what caused the explosion, Erik confidently responds, "Benzene. Vaporized. Built up over the years." While this is a serious moment in the film, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the creative portrayal of a colorless gas as a vibrant purple haze. This raised an interesting question: While small amounts of benzene can be found in gasoline, could it truly be responsible for such a spectacular explosion?

Gasoline Chemistry Explained

Gasoline consists of various hydrocarbons, including n-paraffins, isoparaffins, cyclic paraffins, olefins, and aromatics, as explained by petroleum chemist Suzanne Golisz. She notes that for over a century, refiners have introduced antioxidants to gasoline to prevent gum formation and maintain stability. However, these antioxidants cannot preserve gasoline indefinitely. After 28 years of societal collapse, reactive components like olefins can lead to the formation of sticky residues due to oligomerization.

Golisz emphasizes that it’s unlikely for benzene to emerge solely from gasoline degradation. While heavier hydrocarbons may turn gummy over time, lighter ones evaporate. Any vapors would likely escape underground and dissipate, rather than accumulate in the convenience store. In an apocalyptic scenario, any escaping vapors, potentially including benzene, would simply disperse into the atmosphere, making a cinematic explosion improbable.

“While small amounts of benzene can be found in gasoline, its accumulation to explosive levels in an abandoned store over decades is highly unlikely.”

British Baking Meets Chemistry

On a lighter note, another delightful British export that has captured American hearts is the "Great British Bake Off," known in the U.S. as the "Great British Baking Show." Fans may find themselves in a baking dilemma when trying to recreate recipes without understanding kitchen chemistry.

In one episode’s semifinal challenge, contestants were tasked with crafting a stunning framboisier cake topped with a sugar dome. The process involved heating sugar, water, and glucose syrup to 150 °C to allow most water to evaporate. This heated mixture could then be poured onto tightly wrapped plastic over a bowl to create the dome shape.

However, many American bakers may not realize that the most common plastic wrap in households is made from low-density polyethylene, which starts melting at 105 °C. Instead of acting as a support for the dome, the wrap melts and causes the sugar to fall through, resulting in a crystallized mess. Interestingly, although the contestants used cling film likely made from higher-melting polyvinyl chloride that held up during baking, they too faced challenges in achieving perfect sugar domes.

Your feedback is always welcome; please reach out at newscripts@acs.org.