Reviews recent developments in synthetic organic sonochemistry, focusing on reactions involving metals. Cites important historical findings, discusses cavitation effects, and describes important reactions. (JM)

Discusses safety concerns related to independent study projects at both school and off-campus sites. Provides questions to evaluate and manage student projects and cites important procedural steps to promote student safety, enhance educational return, and limit teacher liability.

Describes procedures for two demonstrations: (1) photochemical energy conversion using ferric oxalate actinometry and (2) liquification of gases using Freon 114. Safety precautions are given for both demonstrations, as are procedures and material specifications. (JM)

Discusses theory of thermodynamics of the equilibrium in solution and dissociation-dimerization kinetics. Describes experimental procedure including determination of molar absorptivity and equilibrium constant, reaction enthalpy, and kinetics of the dissociation-dimerization reaction. (JM)

Describes a procedure for oxygen generation by thermal decomposition of potassium chlorate in presence of manganese dioxide, reacted with various sulfides. Provides a table of sample product yields for various sulfides. (JM)

Describes experiments designed to: (1) familiarize students with inert atmosphere techniques; (2) teach monitoring reactions with thin-layer chromatography and infrared spectroscopy, isolation, and purification by crystallization and column chromatography; (3) estimate product purity spectroscopically; and (4) characterize reaction products by…

Discusses an acid-base neutralization exercise requiring groups of students to determine: (1) combinations of solutions giving neutralization; (2) grouping solutions as acids or bases; and (3) ranking groups in order of concentration. (JM)

Discusses an experiment designed to introduce students to the basic principles of the fast Fourier transform and Fourier smoothing through transformation of time-dependent optical absorption data from an oscillating reaction. Uses the Belousov-Zhabotinskii reaction. Describes the experimental setup and data analysis techniques.

Shows how the ammoxidation of olefins can be understood in terms of free radicals and surface bound organometallic intermediates. Also illustrates the close intellectual relationships between heterogeneous catalysis and organometallic chemistry. (JN)

Shows how asymmetric organometallic catalysts can be used to make complex organic molecules with extremely high enantioselectivity. The molecule considered is l-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), an amino acid which was found to be effective in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. (JN)

Proposes a simple and general method whereby the lattice energies of lanthanide(II) and (IV) compounds are derived directly from those found experimentally for the corresponding lanthanide(III) compounds. The method is applicable to all lanthanide halides and oxides and involves calculations which can be easily and quickly performed by students.…

Shows how thermodynamic cycles can be used to understand trends in heats of formation and aqueous solubilities and, most importantly, how they may be used to choose synthetic routes to new ionic compounds. (JN)

Addresses these three questions: (1) What are the roles of analytical chemists in industry? (2) What training is needed to fill assignments which make up these roles? and (3) What are some of the major challenges facing analytical chemists during the next five years? Includes information about a workshop for students. (JN)

Uses the subject of enzymes to illustrate the topical approach to teaching biochemistry at the secondary level. Includes the procedures for three experiments dealing with various aspects of enzymes. (JN)

Discusses (1) polyproptic acids for which the difference between K-a's is large; (2) the Henderson-Hasselbach equation; (3) polyprotic acids for which the difference between K-a's is small; (4) analysis of microscopic dissociation constants for cysteine; and (5) analysis of pK-a data. (JN)