A study examined the way graduate students solved mechanism problems that were far removed from the simple systems in which mechanisms are traditionally presented. One aim is to probe the extent to which the students' experiences with the organic chemistry as undergraduates prepared them to solve mechanism problems they were likely to face as…

Synthetic sequences in the undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory illustrate important synthetic strategies, reagents, or experimental techniques, oftentimes resulting in the synthesis of commercially important compounds. A fragrance with a 'spicy, carnation, sweet, vanilla', named after carnations (Dianthus caryophllus), Methyl Diantillis is…

The chemical information instruction and environmental science which is incorporated into a first-year organic chemistry laboratory is presented. The students are charged with devised search strategies, conducting online searches and limiting the project scope to ocean systems. The laboratory serves to provide for search strategy development…

A discovery-oriented lab experiment is developed that illustrates the chemoselective nature of reductions using sodium borohydride. Products are of sufficient purity to allow analysis by spectroscopy without further purification.

An experiment for the organic chemistry laboratory that involves a template-controlled solid-state reaction is described. The experiment utilizes a template to direct the assembly of an olefin in the solid state that undergoes a [2 + 2] photodimerization.

A useful metrics system for the assessment of the environmental impact of chemical processes is utilized to illustrate several of the principles of green chemistry. The use of this metrics system in conjunction with laboratory experiments in green chemistry would provide for reinforcement in both the theory and practice of green chemistry.

Kinetics constitutes a core topic in both the lecture and laboratory components of lower- level chemistry courses. While textbook examples can ignore issues of time, temperature and safety, the laboratory can not. Reactions must occur slowly enough to be detected by students, occur rapidly enough for data collection in the few hours assigned to a…

Performance as measured by grades in the first and second semesters of organic chemistry was predicted using pre-college measures (SAT scores, high school rank, validation exams) and college measures (general chemistry GPA, overall college GPA prior to beginning organic chemistry, first-semester organic chemistry GPA). Data indicate that overall…

Discusses the advantages of using small scale experimentation in the undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory. Describes small scale filtration techniques as an example of a semi-micro method applied to small quantities of material. (MLH)

Describes the separation of proteins from bovine serum and egg-white using carboxymethyl cellulose, Vistec C1. Explains the preparative work that is essential before the technique can be employed. (GS)

Presents a sample of the outline topics and performance objectives that might be used to present acid-base concepts in an organic chemistry course. (MLH)

Divides addition reactions into molecular, stepwise, or termolecular, depending on whether the reaction is synchronous or multistep; and further into nucleophilic, electrophilic, or concerted, depending on how the electrons are transferred in the initiation step. (MLH)

Five brief items are discussed. They include (1) preservation of reactive ions in solid solution, (2) the molecular partition function, (3) purification of methoxychlor, (4) a kinetics experiment, and (5) determining molecular weights of acids. (RWH)

This study investigated the role that spatial ability has in achievement in organic chemistry. Spatial ability was defined as containing two subfactors--spatial visualization and spatial orientation. Spatial visualization is the ability to mentally manipulate pictorially presented stimuli; involved in the processes of manipulation are the…

Described is a method of instruction in organic chemistry designed to promote the concept of learning for mastery. (PEB)