To further demonstrate the protective ability of the gel network, the PhLigel block was immersed in a beaker of water for 30 min (Fig. ). After that time, the PhLigel block was removed from the water, dried with a paper towel and directly used in a reaction with 2′-methoxyacetophenone 1. The conversion to 2 (49%) (Entry 6) was lower than the standard reaction presumably since PhLi located at the surface of the block partly decomposes upon contact with water (as noted visually, Fig. ). However, the fact that the reaction still proceeds in reasonable yield is strong evidence of the very high stability of the PhLi that is inside the gel block and the protective effect of encapsulation within the gel. Obviously PhLi added to water in the absence of gel protection is all very rapidly destroyed. Increasing the loading of the C36H74 gelator to 33% wt/vol and performing the same experiment led to a more robust gel and improved conversion to 2 (69%) (Entry 7). Clearly, the PhLigel block could potentially be further stabilised by coating it with an inert layer, to prevent decomposition at the surface. Indeed, coating the PhLigel block in paraffin led to a filled capsule that gave an 83% conversion to 2 after exposure to water (see ESI). However, we reason that there are significant advantages of working with a gel block rather than a filled capsule as described in the Introduction.