On Tuesday 2 June, we went to the chemistry laboratory at the University of Bath to attend a Chemistry Masterclass on the investigation of ‘Bathenone. We worked in pairs to perform an organic synthesis, to determine the percentage composition of ‘Bathenone’ and identify the unknown component.
Playing the role of pharmaceutical detectives, our job was to separate the aspirin from an unknown ingredient in a competitor’s painkiller. We used a separating funnel to split the drug into two layers, converting the aspirin into an aqueous layer while the unknown compound stayed in an organic solvent. To isolate the aspirin, we added acid to crystallize it and collected it using vacuum filtration.
For the mystery compound, we used a rotary evaporator to spin away the solvent and leave behind the pure solid. Finally, we used a melting point apparatus and an infrared spectrometer to look at its chemical fingerprint, allowing us to calculate the exact percentage composition and identify the unknown molecule.
The trip was an invaluable opportunity to step out of our school environment and experience working in an undergraduate laboratory. Using high-tech equipment like the rotary evaporators and IR spectrometers was definitely a highlight, as it brought our chemistry lesson to life in a practical way. It also gave us a great insight into what studying science at the university level is actually like, and it was deeply rewarding to apply our problem-solving skills to solve a real pharmaceutical mystery.
We are very grateful to Mrs Wilson and Miss Skelhorn for organising such an amazing trip, and we hope to visit again soon.
Belle, Grace and Myra
