Suggests that cyclohexane be used as a solvent in experiments usually using benzene, which has been placed on the list of chemicals that are confirmed carcinogens. Reasons for selection of cyclohexane and experimental procedures using this solvent are described. (CS)

Announces the introduction of a refresher course designed to expose senior chemists to modern organic chemistry, delving into such topics as new synthetic methods, molecular orbital theory, heterocyclic and organometallic chemistry, and C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, offered at the University of Florida in Gainesville in March 1981.…

Describes two simulation programs using an interactive graphic display terminal that were developed for a course in physical organic chemistry. Demonstrates the energetic conditions that give rise to deviations from linearity in the Arrhenius equation. (CS)

Describes an experiment which illustrates the general aspects of intermolecular energy transfer between triplet states in rigid solutions of organic compounds solved in an ethanol-ether mixture. Measurements of quenching and energy transfer processes are made using the chemicals of benzophenone and naphthalene. (CS)

Details a procedure for accurately calculating the quantum mechanical energies of hydrocarbons using the perturbational molecular orbital (PMO) method, which does not require the use of a computer. (BT)

Three methods are given for the synthesis of N-4 substituted sulfonamides. An example elucidates the procedures involved in one of the methods. The example is intended as a model for students. (SA)

Describes a classification test that uses a sodium nitroprusside reagent to identify aliphatic and aryl amines. (MLH)

Presents experiments that introduce natural product chemistry into high school classrooms. In the laboratory activities, students isolate and analyze the oil in orange peels. Students also perform a steam distillation and learn about terpenes. (DDR)

Describes and evaluates a teaching strategy, designed to increase student retention while maintaining academic performance levels in undergraduate organic chemistry, that uses grade/study-performance contracts, enhanced communication using electronic mail, and cooperative learning. Concludes that a series of interventions can substantially…

Presents a spiral puzzle to test students' ability to remember the names of organic reactions and reagents. (YDS)

Described are two demonstrations for teaching chemistry using the overhead projector. Included are "Oxidation of Cyclohexanol--An Amoebalike Reaction," and "A Diels-Alder Reaction for the Overhead Projector." Materials and procedures are detailed. (CW)

The synthesis of 4-acetylbiphenyl on a semimicroscale for use as an organic laboratory exercise is described. Materials, experimental procedures, and results are discussed. Sample NMR spectra used in the resulting analysis are provided. (CW)

Describes the process of development and representative parts of new organic chemistry studyware. (22 references) (Author/MKR)

Presents a chemistry report on methamphetamine synthesis downloaded from the Internet and asks students to point out errors and answer questions about the text. Discusses the methods of methamphetamine synthesis and major issues in writing a case study. (YDS)

An introductory undergraduate physical organic chemistry exercise that introduces the harmonic oscillator's use in vibrational spectroscopy is developed. The analysis and modeling exercise begins with the students calculating the stretching modes of common organic molecules with the help of the quantum mechanical harmonic oscillator (QMHO) model.