Magic Acid

Magic Acid

'Magic Acid' is the name given to one of the strongest of the inorganic 'superacids'. It is made by mixing together antimony pentafluoride (SbF₅) and fluorosulphonic acid (HSO₃F), and it is so strong (pK_a = -20) that it is capable of protonating even saturated alkanes, like methane, to produce carbonium ions. On a similar name theme, Magic Factor-1 (derived from the acronym for Met-Activating Genetically Improved Chimeric Factor-1) is an engineered protein that helps keep certain cells alive and which may be used to treat muscular dystrophy. It's been shown to improve the running speed of mice which have previously had wasted leg muscles...magic indeed!