Stéphane A. Baudron is in the Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination Organique at the University of Strasbourg, France, and works on the development of crystalline heterometallic architectures.

1. What made you want to be a chemist?

It just happened without me even realizing it. I was keen on science in general as a teenager, with a particular interest in biology. As an undergraduate student, I slowly moved towards chemistry and here I am now.

2. If you weren’t a chemist and could do any other job, what would it be – and why?

If I had the talent, I would have loved to be a professional comedian. When I am not in lab, you can most definitely find me involved in improvisational theatre, either acting or watching. This is the best way to escape and find oneself again.

3. What are you working on now, and where do you hope it will lead?

We are working on the sequential construction of crystalline heterometallic architectures using differentiated ligand bearing several coordination poles. The goal is to take advantage of the heterometallic nature of these materials and to modulate their properties by playing with the different metal centers involved.

4. Which historical figure would you most like to have dinner with – and why?

Nicéphore Niépce, one of the inventors of photography. It must have been an exhilarating experience to see the first photograph appear. It might also have something to do with my passion for silver salts.

5. When was the last time you did an experiment in the lab – and what was it?

Today. I synthesized a dipyrrin. Being in the lab is a great and productive way to not sit at my desk. Working on the computer does not bring much thrill, except when writing a paper.

6. If exiled on a desert island, what one book and one music album would you take with you?

I would either bring Dave Egger’s A heartbreaking work of staggering genius, to remind me of my time in California, or Michel Houellebecq’s La carte et le territoire to remind me of France.

For the music album, it would be a tough choice between Santigold’s Santogold, Goldfrapp’s Seventh tree and Benjamin Biolay’s La superbe.

7. Which chemist would you like to see interviewed on Reactions – and why?

Prof. Mircea Dincă, a very talented chemist and good friend, whose views should be interesting to hear.

Monday

Last chance for Williams and Kates to get free entry to London Zoo

Tuesday

A Times Higher Education debate at The British Library: Growing Knowledge: What is the future of research?. Phil Baty chairs a discussion on how technology allowing research to be done from more or less anywhere will change the lives of researchers. 6:30 start; free, but book.

Wednesday

This evening sees the first in a month long series of free events at UCL on the topic of voice in museums. Topics include interpreting tone of voice, audioguides and preserving past and present voices.

Thursday

The Dana Centre turns its attention to climate change with Sustainable Pasts exploring how climate change is not a modern phenomenon. Speakers will lead a discussion around the question “What will our present-day objects tell future experts about how we have responded to and have perceived climate change?”. 7pm start, free entry but you need to book. Meanwhile at the Royal Society of Chemistry, Why Water is Weird with author Philip Ball considers what we do and don’t know about water. Currently full, but will be webcast. 6:30pm start: free.

Friday

The RI’s Friday Evening Discourse, open to members and their guests, with Sir Richard Sykes on the topic of The evolution of antimicrobial resistance: a Darwinian perspective