Describes common artificially produced organized media such as colloids, surfactants, and polymers and their usefulness in studying complex biochemical processes. Discusses selected recent photophysical and photochemical exploitations of these systems, including artificial photosynthesis, in situ generation of colloidal gold and platinum,…

A two-stage synthesis of 4,6,8-trimethylazulene was developed for use in the undergraduate experiment, highlighting concepts not usually covered in the laboratory. The experiment requires purification procedures of chromatography and of sublimation and illustrates concepts of aromaticity, molecular orbital theory, and carbodium ion reactivity. (JN)

Describes an undergraduate organic chemistry experiment on the photochemical isomerization of maleic to fumaric acid. Background information, chemical reactions involved, and experimental procedures are included. (JN)

Describes an experiment designed to teach temperature programed gas chromatography (TPGC) techniques and importance of derivatizing many classes of substrated to be separated. Includes equipment needed, procedures for making trimethylsilyl derivatives, applications, sample calculations, and typical results. Procedure required one, three-hour…

Focusing on research is suggested as an approach for teaching organic chemistry for nonmajors. Topics of saturated hydrocarbons and unsaturated hydrocarbons are used as examples to illustrate the approach. (SK)

Outlines content and use of slide audiotape pre-lab lectures at California State College (Stanislaus). Includes advantages of using the materials and data, indicating their success as teaching aids. (Author/SK)

The current organic synthesis program at Harvard University is called the Logic and Heuristics Applied to Synthetic Analysis (LHASA). Discusses this program in detail, focusing on retrosynthetic analysis approach, LHASA hardware, graphical input/perception, strategy control, transform evaluation, and LHASA enhancement. (JN)

Discusses problems professional teachers had in producing videotape materials for an organic chemistry course. Indicates that the tape program is a valuable addition to the organic lab course--its projected long lifetime compensating for the considerable task of its preparation. (Author/JN)

Discusses the confusion and erroneous conclusions that can result from the overuse and misuse of the circle notation to represent aromaticity in polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons. Includes nature of the problem, textbook treatment, and a possible compromise method of representation. (Author/JN)

Describes an experiment to examine the kinetics of carbamate decomposition and the effect of buffer catalysis on the reaction. Includes background information, laboratory procedures, evaluation of data, and teaching suggestions. (Author/JN)

A 1980 mail survey of the 72 American colleges of pharmacy concerning the status of required chemistry courses in the professional curriculum was conducted. Results of the survey are discussed and the survey was used to establish the baseline for the status of chemistry courses in the undergraduate pharmacy curriculum. (Author/MLW)