How to use this book; Background information; Paracetamol is a common compound; The history of paracetamol; Experimental and investigation section; The extraction and purification of paracetamol from tablets; The preparation of paracetamol; The quantitative analysis of various formulations of paracetamol; Using thin layer chromatography to investigate paracetamol; Teachers' notes; The toxicity of paracetamol; Apparatus lists and answers

Nearly everyone has used paracetamol at some time in their lives. its discovery stems from a mistake made in 1880 when a related compound was shown to reduce fever rather than kill intestinal worms in patients. Paracetamol is now available in many forms and preparations in treatments for colds and fevers. This book contains a selection of activities developed by Frank Ellis of GlaxoSmithKline and edited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. The activities can be used singly or as a coherent package for project work or as background material for post-16 chemistry and vocational courses. Students can synthesise parcetamol, isolate it from tablets, analyse for its presence in medicines and develop ideas about dosages and formulations. This resource was produced as part of the Royal Society of Chemistry's programme to support the teaching of chemistry and the chemical sciences in schools and colleges.