The synthesis of meso-octamethylporphyrinogen that involves a mini-scale preparation and uses acetone as reactant and also as solvent is presented. It results in a product of almost analytical grade directly from the reaction medium.

A class of highly active, well-defined compounds for the catalytic carbonylation of epoxides and aziridines to beta-lactones and beta-lactams are introduced. The synthesis of one of the catalysts involves a simple imine condensation to form the ligand followed by air-sensitive metalation and salt metathesis steps.

Two Diels-Alder reactions are described that are suitable for a MORE (microwave-induced organic reaction enhanced) experiment in the organic chemistry laboratory course. A second experiment in which the splitting patterns of the vinyl protons in the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of two MORE adducts are used in conjunction with molecular…

A facile synthesis of two gold(I) complexes with 1,2-benzenedithiolate ligand and two different bidentate phosphines are described. A detailed sequence of NMR experiments is suggested to determine the structure of the compounds.

The student-to-student chemistry initiative (SSCI) impact on elementary school students is examined quantitatively. Results reveal that the number of students attending the chemistry outreach demonstration performances sponsored by the small chemistry department increased more than five-folds.

The interactive compensatory model of learning (ICML) aims to provide a framework for understanding and improving teacher skills in creating learning environments. A research-supported way of understanding learning and to use this to generate some practical suggestions for teaching are outlined.

The feedback connected to some action made by a learner is discussed and the interactive compensatory model of learning (ICML) is described. It is suggested that instruction usually could be described in one of three approaches, namely direct, socially mediated, and autonomous learning.

An investigation on whether a course designed strategically so that assessment methods are aligned with course objectives promotes the students' capacity for higher-order cognitive thinking is presented. Students' view of their own learning process in this course is examined.

An exercise developed for use in the sophomore organic course that introduces students to the process of searching "Chemical Abstracts" with SciFinder Scholar using chiral auxiliaries as example compounds is described. The exercise provides a direct introduction to the chemical literature for students at an early stage of their undergraduate…

Researchers at the University of Bern in Switzerland have identified a compound in the popular vegetable that appears to decrease bone loss in laboratory studies using rat bone cells. It is suggested that eating onions might help prevent bone loss and osteoporosis, a disease, which predominantly affects older women.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which usually attacks the lung and is spread through the air from one person to another. Researchers from Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control and The Pitie-Salpetriere School of Medicine began their…

Tobacco is one crop that accumulates cadmium, making smokers susceptible to higher levels of the metal in their bodies. The findings suggest that even a low-level exposure to a heavy metal like cadmium is likely to cause a change in the functions of neurons in the brain and the behavioral response to drugs of abuse.

Coffee consumption has spread worldwide and differences in the raw bean consumption, in roasting conditions and in the extraction procedures used to prepare coffee brews result in a great diversity of chemical composition in the final product, the cup of coffee. Hence, beverage preparation is a fundamental step for enjoying the benefits of this…

The service-learning project involving the second term of introductory chemistry at Kalamazoo College and a local elementary school is a success. The students' responses toward the service-learning project are positive and there is evidence that this project is increasing the number of students who eventually become chemistry majors.

Kruse and Roehrig present a study designed to assess teacher's misconceptions as related to their background and refer to research showing that teaching science, as inquiry requires a "highly structured and deep conceptual knowledge base". Some of the methods that require strong conceptual knowledge include guided-inquiry laboratories, cooperative…