ERIC Number: EJ1476547
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jul
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: EISSN-1938-1328
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Combining Predicted, Calculated, and Hands-On NMR Spectra to Enhance Instruction of Molecular Structure in Organic Chemistry
Larry Collins; Alexis R. Hartley; Christopher T. Jurgenson
Journal of Chemical Education, v102 n7 p2777-2785 2025
NMR prediction using ChemDoodle, NMR calculation with Gaussian, and hands-on data collection using a benchtop NMR spectrometer were explored to assess their synergistic capacity in teaching NMR to organic chemistry students. Nine molecules representing functional groups commonly encountered in undergraduate organic chemistry were selected. Spectra obtained using each of the three methods were incorporated into a laboratory exercise where students utilized all methods to learn about NMR. Our approach combines experimental work with both an approximation and theoretical calculation providing students with a more comprehensive understanding. Ultimately, students learned how to perform NMR spectroscopy and how different computational tools can approach the problem in fundamentally different ways as outlined below. Our qualitative analysis reveals that students engaged in higher order thinking skills and reported several benefits to their learning.
Descriptors: Organic Chemistry, Molecular Structure, Science Instruction, Science Laboratories, Spectroscopy, College Science, Undergraduate Students, Science Experiments, Laboratory Experiments, Thinking Skills, Program Effectiveness
Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: P20GM103476
Author Affiliations: N/A