Explains that triglycerides consist of a mixture of different compounds, depending on the total number of fatty acid constituents. Details the method and instrumentation necessary for students to analyze a vegetable oil for its triglyceride content. Describes sample results. (CW)

Describes the history of the human understanding of polymers from alchemy to modern times. Discusses renaissance chemistry, polymers in the nineteenth century, synthetic elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, fibers, coatings, adhesives, derivatives of natural rubber, thermosets, step-reaction, and chain polymerization. (CW)

Discusses trends and issues in polymer chemistry. Includes developments in mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical behavior. Illustrated are some structures and characteristics of polymers. (CW)

Describes an experiment that provides a study of the different colors and shapes of crystals of transition metal dimethylglyoxime complexes with the use of a low power microscope. Discusses the preparation and examination of the crystals. (CW)

Advocates use of Waters Associates Radial Compression Separation System for high performance liquid chromatography. Discusses instrumentation and reagents, outlining procedure for analyzing various foods and discussing typical student data. Points out potential problems due to impurities and pump seal life. Suggests use of ribose as internal…

Reviews the tradition of teaching and learning of organic chemistry in high school courses. Includes an analysis of present student performance and possible directions of future chemistry programs. Report is based on research of instruction and learning of organic chemistry in 90 high schools. (Author/JN)

The authors provide criticisms of the teaching of organic chemistry in the United States. They suggest that changes be made in the method of presentation of the material, with topics introduced early in the course providing framework for subsequent material. (Author/SA)

Presents an evaluative study of the Nuffield A-level organic chemistry course which was conducted in the United Kingdom. Questionnaire surveys were used to compare the course content with the content Nuffield teachers and university lecturers thought should be included in an A-level course. (HM)

Developments in microscale chemistry which have occurred in the late 1980s are reviewed. Possible directions for the future concerning the uses of microscale chemistry in organic, general, and high school chemistry are suggested. Twenty-three references are listed. (CW)

Illustrates an interesting biomedical application of adsorption from solution and demonstrates some of the factors that influence the in vivo adsorption of drug molecules onto activated charcoal. Uses acetaminophen and N-acetylcysteine for the determination. Suggests several related experiments. (MVL)

Discusses a symposium which focused on the influence of inorganic chemistry on organic synthesis, the impact of organic chemistry on biochemistry and vice versa, chemical reaction dynamics, and advances in inorganic chemistry. Explains the purpose of the symposium was to illustrate the intellectual dynamism of modern chemistry. (MVL)

Provides a point of view that the organic lab is a good place for the student to use and learn problem solving skills while performing the cookbook experiments. Notes that an equilibrium between the theoretical and practical aspects of organic chemistry should be established. (MVL)

Discusses the advent of microscale experiments within undergraduate organic chemistry laboratories mainly resulting from environmental safety concerns involving waste disposal. Considers the cost savings in purchasing less reagents and chemicals, the typical glassware and apparatus, the reduced hazards from elimination of open flames, and other…

Listings of suggested topics aimed at helping university and college faculties plan courses in the main areas of the chemistry curricula are provided. The suggestions were originally offered as appendices to the American Chemical Society's (ACS) Committee on Professional Training's 1983 guidelines for ACS-approved schools. The course data included…

Using the Corey approach, retrosynthetic/synthetic schemes for six organic molecules of increasing complexity were programmed and tested in a module designed for a fourth year undergraduate course. A portion of a simple synthesis is presented and analyzed. Problems encountered were discussed and potential solutions are proposed. The module was…