On Friday, the L6^th Form chemists travelled to Bristol University for a Synthesis Day.

After a quick safety talk, pupils spent the morning synthesising benzocaine, which is a topical anaesthetic. This afforded an opportunity for the pupils to complete an additional practical investigation to complement their required A Level practical endorsement skills. A variety of new practical skills were explored, including the use of a fumehood, vacuum pump filtration apparatus, thin layer chromatography and a separating funnel to separate the aqueous layer from the organic layer, containing the benzocaine, along with using a drying agent to obtain their final sample of benzocaine. During the afternoon pupils listened to two lectures. For the first lecture a final year PhD student presented his research project work on turning gold into a transition metal. The second lecture demonstration was delivered by Tim Harrison, entitled ‘A Chemical Delight’, which looked at what a chemical reaction is and how they are made to go faster. All in all it was an excellent and incredibly valuable trip.

Sadie Osborne - Head of Chemistry