Journal
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
Volume 91, Issue 5, Pages 722-725Publisher
AMER CHEMICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1021/ed3003836
Keywords
Second-Year Undergraduate; Laboratory Instruction; Organic Chemistry; Collaborative/Cooperative Learning; Hands-On Learning/Manipulatives; Inquiry-Based/Discovery Learning; Alkenes; NMR Spectroscopy; Stereochemistry; Synthesis
Funding
- National Science Foundation [CHE-0958425]
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A two-week guided-inquiry Wittig reaction experiment was developed for the undergraduate organic laboratory. In week one, groups are assigned a research topic to investigate the Wittig reaction, such as the effect that substituents on the carbonyl compound may have on E/Z selectivity. A hypothesis, controlled by a provided chemical list, is developed along with a series of experiments to test predictions. For example, more Z isomer might be expected from a steric effect of methyl substituents on o-, m-, and p-tolualdehydes. In the second week, students perform reactions by adapting a general procedure and obtain E/Z selectivities from H-1 NMR. Compiled data are shared online as groups aim to support or refute their hypotheses. As a result of the experiment, students gain insights into the nature of science and the analysis of data as well as a better understanding of the research process.
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