All A2 level Chemists went on a trip to Nottingham Trent University during March to visit the Chemistry Department on their Clifton Campus.  The aim of the visit was to carry out some organic practical Chemistry in a University laboratory and to have a look at pieces of equipment unavailable to us in School such as mass spectrometers, infra red spectrometers and NMR machines - and in doing so hopefully gain a semblance of understanding about them! 

We initially attended a lecture outlining the principles involved in spectroscopy (and for any non-chemists I will try to use this word sparingly), which was taken by an Icelandic Doctor with an interesting accent and engaging style.

After this we moved on to some practical organic synthesis which involved making either paracetamol or aspirin - neither of which was as difficult to make as we first anticipated.  I made some paracetamol using liberal quantities of the reagents provided, and in this way I somehow managed to create such fine looking crystals that I won the coveted “silver” (probably nickel) spatula - and the honour of writing this piece. This experimental work was interesting and working in the University laboratory was a certainly good experience.

After this we spent some time having the various spectroscopy machines, which are used for chemical analysis, demonstrated to us.  Enthusiastic post-graduates explained the workings and applications of the various expensive and complex pieces of equipment.

 

Overall the trip was a useful grounding in the field of spectroscopy and turned out to be both enjoyable and interesting.

 

Thanks to all of the staff in the NTU Chemistry Department for their time and assistance, and to Mr. Heath for organising the visit.