Isotopic labeling and reduced mass calculations for IR spectroscopy

Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Sun, 03/27/2016 - 21:32
Description

I used this as an in class activity but it may work better as a problem set for your class. I had the students read the pertinent chapters of the textbook which go through symmetry and molecular vibrations, including using both stretches and cartesian axes as bases. In class, I divided the students up into four groups. Each group did one of the problems for 30 minutes and during the last 20 minutes of class, they reported out their solution. The students had not seen the Hooke’s law in the textbook so I included it as part of the activity.

Nanomaterials Chemistry

Submitted by Anne Bentley / Lewis & Clark College on Wed, 03/23/2016 - 15:49

This list includes a number of LOs to help in teaching nanomaterials subjects; however, it is not exhaustive.

Updated June 2018.

ColourLex - a colorful website!

Submitted by Vanessa / Albion College on Tue, 03/15/2016 - 13:49
Description

ColourLex (colourlex.com) is an amazing website that mixes chemistry and art. The creators of this website have extensively catalogued paintings and the pigments that were used to create them. The pigments range from artificial to natural and organic to inorganic. You can search for the specific combination that you want to see.

Iron Cross-Coupling Catalysis

Submitted by Laurel Goj Habgood / Rollins College on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 13:08
Description

In this experiment, students will synthesize and characterize an iron complex followed by completion of two series of catalytic cross-coupling reactions mimicking the methodology utilized by organometallic chemists to balance catalyst efficacy and substrate scope.  Initially the complex Fe(acac)3 [acac =  acetylacetone] is prepared.  Two sets of catalytic reactions are completed: one comparing different iron catalysts (Fe(acac)3, FeCl2, FeCl3) while the other compares substrates (4-chlorotoluene, 4-chlorobenzonitrile, 4-chlorotrifluorotoluene).

Antibacterial Reactivity of Ag(I) Cyanoximate Complexes

Submitted by Kari Young / Centre College on Sat, 08/22/2015 - 14:09
Description

In this experiment, students will synthesize and characterize one of three Ag(I) cyanoximate complexes as potential antimicrobial agents for use in dental implants. This experiment combines simple ligand synthesis, metalation and characterization, and a biomedical application. The complexes are both air and light stable.

Ir(III) Catalyst Regeneration Using Molecular Oxygen: Addressing Key Challenges that Hinder Alkane Dehydrogenation Catalysis. A Literature Discussion

Submitted by Vanessa / Albion College on Thu, 07/02/2015 - 15:56
Description

This Learning Object involves reading a recent scientific journal article, answering questions relating to the content, and participating in a classroom discussion. The paper under review is “Regeneration of an Iridium (III) Complex Active for Alkane Dehydrogenation Using Molecular Oxygen,” Organometallics, 33, 1337-1340. DOI: /10.1021/om401241e).

A discussion on "Electrochemical formation of a surface-adsorbed hydrogen-evolving species"

Submitted by Kevin Hoke / Berry College on Thu, 07/02/2015 - 14:22
Description
The paper entitled “Electrochemical hydrogenation of a homogeneous nickel complex to form a surface adsorbed hydrogen-evolving species” explores the discovery, characterization and catalytic activity of a film that deposited on the electrode while studying a nickel complex under electrocatalytic conditions.
 
This literature discussion includes several sets of questions that address different aspects of the paper, as described in the implementation notes.

Synthesis of Aspirin- A Lewis Acid Approach

Submitted by Kathleen Field / WGU on Mon, 06/29/2015 - 21:29
Description

This is the procedure for a Fe(III) catalyzed synthesis of aspirin, an alternative to the traditionally sulfuric acid catalyzed synthesis of aspirin.  The prep compares and contrasts the Bronsted acid catalyzed esterification reaction with a Lewis acid iron (III) catalyzed pathway.  This can be used in different courses at different levels, but is it written for a general/intro level chemistry course.    

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