In this two-session experiment for an organic chemistry lab, students prepare a macrocyclic host compound--namely, a pillar[5]arene--by means of a templated 1,4-dimethoxybenzene/formaldehyde cyclo-oligomerization (session 1), and then, they explore its molecular recognition properties toward the 1,8-diaminooctane guest with the aid of [superscript…

Lakes are artists' pigments made from colorants bound to an inert substrate, usually hydrated aluminum oxide. Before the late 19th century, lakes were made from natural pigments extracted from plants and insects, extracted either directly from the dyestuff or indirectly from waste materials generated in the manufacture of dyed textiles. The first…

Most students enter college without any exposure to polymer science, which leads to the poor understanding and slow implementation of plastic recycling programs in the United States. To address the knowledge gap in chemical recycling, we introduce a 2-part laboratory experiment that was conducted in multiple high schools and public outreach events…

An undergraduate laboratory experiment has been developed for the synthesis of a reactive cross-linker that is useful in various highly visual demonstrations of organic reactivity, click chemistry, and biobased polymer synthesis. A triazolinedione-based cross-linker, which is known as a useful reagent for click chemistry, can be obtained from…

The addition of a small excess of triethyl orthoformate to an alcoholic mixture of NiCl[subscript 2]·6H[subscript 2]O and triphenylphosphine (PPh[subscript 3]) results in an increase in the typical isolated yield of [NiCl[subscript 2](PPh[subscript 3])[subscript 2]] from below 50% to over 85%. The impact of water when present in the reaction…

This paper addresses the fundamentals, structuring, and application of a Formative Dimensions for Green and Sustainable Chemical Education (Formative Dimensions -- GSCE) qualitative evaluation tool of experimental processes. This instrument was created considering the need to resignify laboratory practices in Chemical Education. Qualitative…

A major challenge when designing new experiments for the general chemistry laboratory is introducing students to the necessary techniques while keeping the experiment engaging and accessible. This work presents a new multiweek activity designed to introduce students to advanced instrumentation in the form of high-performance liquid chromatography…

Plant extracts and their components have been reported to have antimicrobial properties against phytopathogens. Although such properties could be harnessed for the development of new pathogen control strategies, there are no standardised methods for their assessment in different extracts. The laboratory exercise presented here involves the use of…

Although diffusion is the subject of beginning chemistry classes, there are a variety of experiments, such as the spread of perfume in the classroom, that are often "incorrectly" explained by diffusion alone. To eliminate this common misconception, a recently published method is modified to determine the diffusion constant of hydrogen…

The family resemblance approach to nature of science is receiving increasing attention by science educators since its inception about a decade ago. Many scholars of science education have contributed and continue to contribute to it not only theoretically but also by applying it empirically to a wide range of areas such as curriculum and textbook…

The variation in the transference number of H[superscript +] (aq) is investigated for different HCl solution concentrations. The method for scribing graduations on electromigration tubes is modified to decrease the error in experimental measurements, and metallic copper is used as the anode to reduce the toxicity and environmental impact of the…

Educational content is consistently adapted to enhance the learning experience of students at all experience and skill levels. Student motivation and accessibility are key factors in teaching science to a broad audience. The presented experiments engage the students by relating the content to that which is immediately relevant to them: the threat…

Historical scientific controversies have great potential to address aspects of the nature of science in context. This paper describes a design case about a novel lesson plan based on the scientific controversy between Karl von Frisch and Carl von Hess on the sight of bees (how they see). This lesson plan allows concepts related to experimentation,…

A multicomponent reaction was adapted and successfully applied in the major organic course, which involves synthesizing and characterizing a 1,3-benzoxazine derived from paracetamol extracted from tablets of the worldwide well-known medicine Tylenol. Using paracetamol as a reagent is a motivational strategy in undergraduate laboratories to meet…

A laboratory experiment that involves the aqueous and solid phase synthesis, characterization, and solvatochromic properties exploration of red complex [Ni(Me[subscript 3]en)(acac)]BPh[subscript 4] has been developed for first-year undergraduates in the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Xiamen University. In contrast to previously…