Acceptable answers are provided for two chemistry questions. The first question is related to the prediction of the appearance of non-first-order proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The second question is related to extraterrestrial kinetic theory of gases. (JN)

Discusses evidence for the tetrahedral configuration of the carbon atom, indicating that three symmetrical configurations are theoretically possible for coordination number four. Includes table indicating that resolvability of compounds of type CR'R"R"'R"" is a necessary but not sufficient condition for proving tetrahedral…

Compares two palladium (Pd/C) reducing systems to iron/tin-hydrochloric acid (Fe/HCl and Sn/HCl) reductions and suggests an efficient, clean, and inexpensive procedures for the conversion of nitrobenzene to aniline. Includes laboratory procedures used and discussion of typical results obtained. (JN)

Discusses the acylation version of malonic synthesis of three-ketoesters. Includes advantages of this method over other methodologies including a final selective removal of the "activating" ester function in such mild conditions that most of the organic functions may survive. (JN)

Briefly surveys the main structural types of sulfur-nitrogen compounds, and describes syntheses, suitable as undergraduate experiments, which illustrate four of the five types of cyclic species. Laboratory procedures, background information, and discussion of results for these experiments are provided. (Author/JN)

Background information, procedures, and materials needed are provided for an experiment in which acetone is produced from 2-propanol. The experiment does not use magnetic stirring, avoids the necessity for exhaustive extractions with ether, and produces a 60-percent yield of redistilled acetone within a two-and-one-half-hour laboratory period.…

A simple, three-step procedure for synthesizing a dipeptide from its component amino acids is described. The dipeptide synthesized uses inexpensive amino acids having hydrocarbon side-chains and can be observed in E/Z forms by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Each step in the synthesis produces white crystalline products using standard…

Describes a project and experimental procedures, suitable for a final year organic chemistry course, in which students synthesize a variety of substituted phenanthrenes, chrysenes, and benzo phenanthrenes. (SK)

The discovery of a superconducting organic compound is reported. The compound, (TMTSF)-2, has no metal in its composition, and the author believes that it is the precursor of a family of superconducting organics. (Author/SA)

Reviews the physical and chemical properties of polymers and the two major methods of polymer synthesis: addition (chain, chain-growth, or chain-reaction), and condensation (step-growth or step-reaction) polymerization. (JN)

Describes several undergraduate deuteriation experiments using deuterium oxide as the source of label, including general and specific procedures. (SK)

Describes developments in the stereochemistry of coordination compounds. Includes chemical structures and chemical reactions of selected compounds. (JN)

Discusses chemicals that come from propylene, including polypropylene, acrylonitrile, acrylic acid, propylene oxide, and cumene hydroperoxide, and their reactions. (CS)

Presents an NMR experiment for the undergraduate organic laboratory, based on the disproportionation reaction of the mixed azine of benzaldehyde and acetophenone. (CS)

Summarizes the ideas of Sir Robert Robinson and Sir C. K. Ingold that contributed to the controversy in developing the electronic theory of organic reactions. (CS)