Introducing Undergraduates to Research Using a Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling Organic Chemistry Miniproject

A five-week miniproject is described for an upper-division experimental organic chemistry course. The activities include synthesis of a phenylboronic acid via a Grignard reaction and its use in a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. Technical skills and concepts normally presented in practical organic chemistry courses are covered, including the use of an inert atmosphere (Schlenk tube technique), separation of mixtures (filtration), melting range determination, infrared (IR) spectrum, stoichiometric calculations and gas chromatography techniques.