The fake chemical compound Isaac Asimov invented to punk science writers
http://io9.com/5887014/the-fake-chemical-compound-isaac-asimov-invented-to-punk-science-writers
the only way for the compound to be more soluble than it already was would be if it dissolved before it came in contact with the water. He decided this would be a good basis for another short story, and then realized this represented the perfect way to deal with his concerns about scientific writing