The universe holds billions of chemicals, each with incredible potential, yet only 1 percent of them have been found.

Scientists believe these undiscovered compounds could help combat greenhouse gases or, much like penicillin, lead to groundbreaking medical advancements.

Chemists are profoundly curious individuals. Ever since Dmitri Mendeleev introduced the periodic table of elements in 1869, scientists have been uncovering the chemicals that shape the modern world.

The creation of the last few elements required nuclear fusion.

However, to grasp the full extent of the chemical universe, one must also comprehend chemical compounds. Some of these compounds occur naturally, like water, which consists of hydrogen and oxygen. Others, such as nylon, are produced in laboratories and factories.

Elements are composed of a single type of atom, further made up of smaller particles like electrons and protons. In contrast, chemical compounds consist of two or more types of atoms. While the existence of undiscovered elements is possible, it is considered highly unlikely.

How many compounds can be created using the 118 different elements now known to science?

The possibilities are vast. One can begin by generating all the binary compounds.

There are numerous binary compounds, with nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) forming 99% of the atmosphere.

While it might take a chemist a year to create one compound, there are theoretically 6903 binary compounds.

This implies that it would require many chemists a year's worth of work to produce all conceivable binary compounds.

In theory, there are around 1.6 million ternary compounds, such as water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2), equivalent to the combined populations of Birmingham and Edinburgh.

When it comes to compounds containing four or five atoms, it would necessitate every person on Earth to create three compounds each. To create all these chemical compounds, it would be imperative to recycle all the matter in the universe countless times.

This is an oversimplification, as the structure and stability of these compounds can make them more intricate and challenging to produce.

The most extensive compound ever made was in 2009, composed of nearly 3 million atoms.

Although its purpose is still unknown, similar compounds are used to safeguard cancer drugs until they reach their intended destinations.

Chemistry operates under specific rules. Surely, not all compounds are feasible? While there are rules, they can be somewhat flexible, offering more opportunities for chemical compounds.

Even isolated "noble gases" like neon, argon, xenon, and helium, which typically do not combine with other substances, occasionally form compounds.

Scientists can recreate this compound in a lab, simulating conditions found in the universe. This suggests that even compounds considered impossible might exist under certain conditions.

Furthermore, chemical properties can change with variations in temperature, pressure, and other factors, further expanding the potential for chemical compounds.

Even though only 1% of chemical compounds have been identified, countless uncharted possibilities are waiting to be explored.

Scientists will continue their dedicated efforts in the hopes of discovering more chemical compounds that may lead to breakthroughs and advancements in various fields.