Designed for the organic chemist involved in interpreting NMR spectra, basic concepts of chemical shift equivalence and magnetic equivalence in NMR spectrometry are discussed. (CS)

Presents a figure that aids in unifying stereochemical concepts in organic chemistry instruction. (CS)

Presented are lists of deshielding constants chosen to be easy to remember and to given estimates close enough to measured shifts to allow interpretation of the spectrum of a compound of known structure. (BT)

This column generally relates errors which have been discovered in textbooks. The error discussed in this issue is the prevalence of erroneous ideas in organic chemistry textbooks, related to the chemistry of sodium borohydride. (Author/SA)

Explains how using computers to generate images, to gather high-speed data, and to make better models has greatly improved x-ray crystallography results. (Author/GA)

The preparation of eight heterocyclic compounds is described. These syntheses each take three or four hours and are suitable for undergraduate organic chemistry laboratories. (BB)

This undergraduate experiment demonstrates the effect of temperature on the rate of hydrolysis of para-nitrophenyl beta-glucoside. (BB)

An experiment is described which provides a simple example of the application of the Wittig reaction to the synthesis of unsaturated compounds. The experiment was designed with British HNC chemistry students in mind, but it is also suitable as a project-type exercise for final year GCE A-level students. (Author/BB)

Describes the way enzymes operate through reaction energetics, and explains that most of the catalytic power of enzymes lies in the strong noncovalent forces responsible for initial binding of substrate, which are only manifested at the transition state of the reaction. (Author/GA)

The bonding of dioxygen in metal-dioxygen complexes is discussed, paying particular attention to the problems encountered in assigning conventional oxidation numbers to both the metal center and coordinated dioxygen. Complexes of iron, cobalt, chromium, and manganese are considered. (BB)

Describes a new sodium fusion procedure and a new single reagent test for nitrogen and sulfur for use in the analytical lab. (MLH)

Describes demonstrations of the ring strain inherent in cyclopropanes and cyclobutanes and their resultant high reactivity, and selective solubility principles. (MLH)

Describes an experiment involving the oxidation of aromatic primary amines to the corresponding azo compound; suggests procedures for studying factors that influence the yield of such a reaction, including the choice of solvent and the oxidant-amine ratio. (MLH)

Reviews major organic and inorganic chemicals, their products, and the sociocultural impact of the chemical industry. Provides the following learning activity components: objectives, list of materials and equipment, procedures, student quiz with answers, and three references. (SK)

Examines four processes involving homogeneous catalysis which highlight the contrast between the simplicity of the overall reaction and the complexity of the catalytic cycle. Describes how catalysts provide circuitous routes in which all energy barriers are relatively low rather than lowering the activation energy for a single step reaction.…