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 infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and melting point data. Provides safety information; suggests possible refinements, substitutions. (JM)