A laboratory experiment that emphasizes the interpretation of both infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra in the elucidation of the structure of an unknown compound was developed. The method helps students determine [to the first power]H- and [to the thirteenth power]C-NMR spectra from the structures of compounds and to…

A study combined 1D (one-dimensional) and 2D (two-dimensional) NMR spectroscopy to solve structural organic problems of three unknowns, which include 2-, 3-, and 4-heptanone. Results showed [to the first power]H NMR and [to the thirteenth power]C NMR signal assignments for 2- and 3-heptanone were more challenging than for 4-heptanone owing to the…

A study identifies a compound from a set of monoterpenes using infrared (IR) and one-dimensional (1D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. After identifying the unknown, each carbon and proton signal can be interpreted and assigned to the structure using the information in the two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectra, correlation spectroscopy…

A study uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in a novel way to determine the isotopic ration between [to the tenth power]B and [to the eleventh power]B in sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The experiment provides an unusual and relatively simple means for undergraduate chemistry students to accurately measure the distribution of the two…

A study investigated the Diels-Alder synthesis of endo-cis-N-phenylbicyclo [2.2.2]oct-5-en-2,3-dicarboximide. The amount of time taken by a reaction between the 1,3-cyclohexadiene and N-phenylmaleimide at room temperature and also whether the desired cycloadduct would precipitate directly from the reaction mixture was examined.

A laboratory experiment designed to examine the entrance and exit effects in small electrochemical filter-press reactors used in the laboratory is presented. The single compartment of the filter-press reactor is filled with different turbulence promoters to study their influence as compared to the empty configuration.

The creation of a simple, low-cost lock-in amplifier (LIA) suitable for use in the chemistry teaching laboratory is described. The use of integrated circuits and few components are necessary to adequately accomplish lock-in amplification limited the total cost of construction to under US$100.

A study examined the way graduate students solved mechanism problems that were far removed from the simple systems in which mechanisms are traditionally presented. One aim is to probe the extent to which the students' experiences with the organic chemistry as undergraduates prepared them to solve mechanism problems they were likely to face as…

The commonly used method of reliance on failure to reject the conventional null hypothesis as a positive indication of equivalence is questioned in a study. An alternative method, based on a re-visioning of the null hypothesis, is proposed which also avoids the uncontrolled type II error present in the traditional method.

A. D. Mitchell's work on the phosphorus(I) reduction of the halogens and of mercury(II) and copper(II) chlorides is examined. A review of some salient characteristics of the Mitchell mechanism is presented, together with a discussion on how a student might benefit from a case study of the phosphorus(I) reduction of iodine or the similarly behaving…

An Excel file that performs self-consistent field (SCF) calculations for the two-electron atoms is described. It is readily constructed and is relatively simple to use, providing a visual demonstration of how the self-consistent field (SCF) procedure is applied and what issues are involved.

Experts have mixed horseradish root with hydrogen peroxide or calcium peroxide in laboratory studies to get rid of the problem of odors from farm manure. Researchers evaluated how well the system reduced the concentration of volatile fatty acids, indole and skatole, compounds that are also associated with the stink of animal manure.

A brief description on the work and life of the great physicist scientist Albert Einstein is presented. The photoelectric paper written by him in 1905 led him to the study of fluctuations in the energy density of radiation and from there to the incomplete nature of the equipartition theorem of classical mechanics, which failed to account for…

The journal "The Physics Teacher," which is dedicated to introductory physics education at the high school and university levels is presented. The topics like deconstructing black boxes aspects of a computerized physics lab, the frozen lake, and teaching E=mc(super 2) are discussed.

Undergraduate research at two-year colleges has the potential to remedy low enrollment and high attrition in chemistry-based programs. It also assists students in making successful transitions from the associate degree to the bachelor's degree level in the chemical sciences.