Practical Chemistry Extension
This year's Practical Chemistry Enrichment Programme was attended by the following Lower Sixth students:
Adi Ben S., Dylan L., Joshua R., Arin A., Raeef M., Sukhraj K., and Kevin H.
Throughout the programme, students explored the synthesis of small organic molecules such as iodoform, fructone, and dibenzalacetone, using advanced and unfamiliar equipment like the Dean-Stark apparatus. They were introduced to key purification and analytical techniques including recrystallisation and boiling point determination.
In addition, students delved into reaction mechanisms beyond the A-level curriculum, such as aldol condensation, iodoform reactions, and the fascinating Belousov–Zhabotinsky oscillating reaction.
To keep the programme fresh and engaging, a new synthesis was introduced this year: the formation of cis and trans transition metal complexes, distinguishable by their striking colour differences—light blue for the cis isomer and iridescent purple for the trans isomer (see photos below). Their chemical formulae are as follows:
Beyond honing their experimental and observational skills, students also explored the real-world applications of the molecules they synthesised. For example:
- Fructone is used in the food industry as a fruit flavouring.
- Dibenzalacetone is an additive in sunscreens, thanks to its highly conjugated π-system. This structure allows electrons to be easily excited by UV radiation, enabling the molecule to absorb harmful UV light and protect the skin.
A heartfelt thank you to all the students for their enthusiasm and curiosity, and to Mr Talboys, our Head of Chemistry, for his invaluable support of this initiative.
