Over the past 20 years 164 children and educators have been reported as injured in demonstrations using flammable solvents. The injuries were the result of flash fires, flame jets, and projectiles which occurred once control was lost by the presenter. "The rainbow demonstration" using methanol as the solvent has by far been the most…

Describes a method, using simple algebraic notation, for calculating the nature of the salient features of a sugar pyranoid ring, the steric disposition of substituents about the reference, and the anomeric carbon atoms contained within the ring. (CS)

Discusses a common error found in organic chemistry textbooks regarding the phenomenon of "conjugate reduction." Provides a table of experimental data involving the reduction of alpha-, beta-unsaturated compounds. An accompanying discussion explains reasons for the lack of correspondence between textbook information and the experimental…

Presents schemes for classifying the properties of matter and the conditions which may affect these properties. (WB)

Describes recent issues of the "International Newsletter of Chemical Education." Announces the date and other details of the Sixth International Conference on Chemical Education at the University of Maryland. Also announces an international project in publishing an anthology on innovations in chemical education. (CS)

Reviews interesting and useful electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of the organic solid state. Offers speculation as to areas of fruitful research. Discusses organic superconductors, conducting organic polymers, organic metals, and traces recent history of creation of organic metals. (JM)

Provides highlights of women's contributions and discoveries in chemistry. Includes a chart that summarizes the awards and contributions to chemistry of 18 female scientists. (19 references) (DDR)

Presents information concerning a fundamental concept for understanding reaction rate, the idea of a rate-limiting step for a chemical reaction. Discusses problems in using flow analogies and introduces an alternative approach to finding the rate-limiting step based on locating the transition state of highest energy. (CS)

Describes various uses for balloons in chemistry instruction, such as their use as stirring devices, gas reservoirs, sources of carbon dioxide, and as atomic models. (CS)

This report introduces oceanographers to the International System of Units (SI) in physical oceanography. The SI constitutes a universal language, designed to be understood by all scientists. It facilitates their mutual comprehension and exchange of views and results of their work. The first part of the report is devoted to physical quantities,…

Provides background information designed to aid a physical chemistry student in using the virial equation of state in deriving expressions for other thermodynamic properties, such as writing the Joule and Joule-Thomson coefficients in terms of virial expansions. (CS)

Four general product classes (pesticides, paint products, household cleaners, and automotive products) are reviewed in this document. Each product class is described, and several aspects of the problem associated with product use or disposal are examined, including estimates of volumes used and environmental impacts. Technical data on the specific…

Summarizes steps involved in a systematic method for balancing redox equations by inspection. (CS)

Describes how a sulfate-iodide "clock reaction" experiment can be used to emphasize the importance of observations and hypotheses in revealing cause-effect relationships. Investigative steps, theory, experimental principle, procedure, and the experiment report are discussed. (CS)

Reviews characteristics of coordination chemistry, the study of coordination compounds, a major focal point for the inorganic chemist. Provides a brief history regarding the Wernerian System and background information in modern coordination theory. (CS)