b'THE RIGHT CHEMISTRY:NATURAL VERSUS SYNTHETIC CHEMICALSTHERE ARE MANY confrontations on the battle- be detected. In any sample containing C-14, after field of cyberspace. Vaccine proponents versussome 5,730 years, half the atoms will have decayed. anti-vaxxers. Creationists versus evolutionaryThis is the basis of radiocarbon dating as well as biologists. Anti-fluoride activists versus fluorida- identifying a sample as being natural or synthetic.tion supporters. Climate change deniers versusWhen neutrons in cosmic rays emitted by climate scientists. However, one of the most vig- stars knock a proton out of nitrogen atoms in the orous debates revolves around the relative meritsatmosphere, they produce an atom of carbon-14. of synthetic and natural chemicals.This carbon-14 then reacts with oxygen to form The idea that natural substances have somecarbon dioxide that is then taken up by plants Joe Schwarcz,sort of vital force that cannot be replicated induring photosynthesis and is used in the bio-Director, Officethe lab was dismissed as early as 1828 whensynthesis of all the plants organic components. for Science andFriedrich Wohler synthesized urea and showedTherefore, caffeine in a coffee bean will have Society, McGillit to be identical to the natural version isolatedsome C-14. University from urine. Nevertheless, the myth that thereAs long as a plant is alive, it keeps taking up is something magical about natural substancescarbon dioxide, so its C-14 content is the same as persists to this day.that of the atmosphere. Once the plant dies, it no Recently, I had an inquiry from an individuallonger photosynthesizes, and its C-14 content will who was perturbed by learning that the caffeinecontinue to decrease through radioactive decay. in his energy drink originated in a lab and notBy the time plant matter becomes petroleum, its in a coffee bean. I explained that a molecule ofC-14 content will have virtually disappeared. caffeine is defined by its molecular structure andCaffeine can be synthesized in the laboratory whether the atoms that make up that structurefrom simple molecules that are sourced from are joined together by Mother Nature or by apetroleum, and this version will have essentially chemist makes no difference.no C-14. However, caffeine from coffee beans I thought I had provided a pretty convincingwill have some, and its presence can be detected argument, but then came a follow-up question.either by measuring beta ray emission or through So, how come I saw this report about chemistsmass spectrometry, an instrumental technique finding that the caffeine in an energy drink didntthat can detect small changes in atomic mass. come from the coffee bean but was synthetic?Commercially, caffeine can be obtained Good question. While it is true that in terms ofeither from the decaffeination of coffee beans or molecular structure natural and synthetic caf- through chemical synthesis. In general, synthesis feine are identical, there is a subtle difference inis cheaper, and most of the caffeine that is added isotope ratios that allows for the identification ofto energy drinks is produced on a massive scale in a sample as being natural or synthetic. China. Once produced, it is the same as any other An element is defined by the number ofcaffeine. Well, almost. While the difference in C-14 protons in its nucleus. For example, every atomcontent is only of academic interest, there may be of carbon in the universe has six protons ina difference in residues of processing chemicals. its nucleus. But the nucleus can also containIn any chemical reaction the product will con-neutrons, particles that have the same weight astain traces of the reagents used in its synthesis. protons but have no effect on the identity of theThere have been questions raised about quality element. Atoms of the same element that differcontrol in some Chinese facilities. However, it is in the number of neutrons are called isotopes.also possible that in the case of caffeine obtained Roughly 99% of all carbon atoms have sixby decaffeinating coffee beans, traces of extrac-protons and six neutrons and are referred to astion solvents remain.Carbon-12.Basically though, when it comes to the con-A tiny, tiny fraction, one in a trillion carbonsumption of caffeinated beverages, the question atoms, has eight neutrons. This isotope, Carbon- that should be asked is not whether the caffeine 14, is radioactive, meaning that one of its neutronsis natural or synthetic, but rather what impact breaks down into a proton and an electron. Thethe worlds most widely consumed psychoactive emitted electrons constitute beta rays and cansubstance may have on health. JANUARY 2021 GERMINATION.CA 27'