ERIC Number: EJ820307
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Nov
Pages: 4
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: N/A
Creatine Synthesis: An Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Laboratory Experiment
Smith, Andri L.; Tan, Paula
Journal of Chemical Education, v83 n11 p1654-1657 Nov 2006
Students in introductory chemistry classes typically appreciate seeing the connection between course content and the "real world". For this reason, we have developed a synthesis of creatine monohydrate--a popular supplement used in sports requiring short bursts of energy--for introductory organic chemistry laboratory courses. Creatine monohydrate is easily synthesized from N-methylglycine (sarcosine) and cyanamide in the presence of salt and base. The crude product is purified by recrystallization and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography, melting point, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This synthesis illustrates the electrophilic nature of nitriles, as well as the nucleophilic nature of amines. (Contains 3 schemes and 2 notes.)
Descriptors: Organic Chemistry, Laboratory Experiments, Undergraduate Study, College Science, Science Instruction, Hands on Science, Science Experiments, Introductory Courses
Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society. Subscription Department, P.O. Box 1267, Bellmawr, NJ 08099-1267. Tel: 800-691-9846; Tel: 856-931-5825; Fax: 856-931-4115; e-mail: jchemed@egpp.com; Web site: http://www.jce.divched.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A