Chemistry
Isotopic Labeling: Tracing Reaction Pathways and Mechanisms
Quick fact
One of the most famous uses of isotopic labeling was the discovery of the ring flip in cyclohexane, where deuterium-labeled molecules revealed that the two chair conformations interconvert rapidly—a feat invisible to ordinary chemical analysis.
Why this is interesting
Have you ever wondered how chemists know exactly where atoms go when a reaction occurs? They can't see individual molecules, but they can use 'spy atoms' inside the molecules to trace every move.