A simple, safe, and easy demonstration of the reaction of sodium peroxide with water is presented. The reaction is performed in a plastic bottle by adding water to sodium peroxide supported in a rubber "thimble"; oxygen is detected by the reignition of a glowing splint, while the generation of sodium hydroxide is indicated by…

The area of application of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), usually coupled with liquid chromatography, seems to be much larger than those of any other ionization method. It gives rise to the demand for new teaching methods that would effectively help students to master the principles of working with and making full use of the…

Experiments that explore quantum principles while utilizing and reinforcing previous synthesis skills are excellent for engaging students and promoting the interconnected nature of chemistry. This experiment utilizes sophomore-level organic synthesis techniques to have students produce their own "meso" substituted porphyrins. The UV-vis…

The UV--vis absorption of cyanine dyes is a common experiment in many physical chemistry teaching laboratories. As part of the analysis, students are often asked to hypothesize why the predicted absorption differs from the measured values and why dyes which are predicted to have the same absorption have measured values which differ from each…

In school chemistry, the oxyhydrogen or "Knallgas" reaction is used to provide evidence of hydrogen gas in the squeaky pop test. However, the test actually indicates the presence of an explosive gas mixture of hydrogen and oxygen (oxyhydrogen gas) rather than pure hydrogen. The sheer observations of an explosive reaction and the…

A multistep assembly of gold nanoparticle self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on glass surfaces is proposed, as a third-year undergraduate experiment. The process includes self-assembly (SA) and electrostatic self-assembly (ESA) methods, which are central approaches in modern surface and materials engineering. The products are analyzed using…

After a time away from the classrooms and laboratories due to the global pandemic, the return to teaching activities during the semester represented a challenge to both teachers and students. Our particular situation in a Microbial Physiology course was the necessity of imparting in shorter time, laboratory practices that usually take longer. This…

The activity proposed in this study aims to investigate the equilibrium between the liquid and vapor phases in a mixture of water and acetic acid, both of which are volatile substances. High school students can easily determine the composition of the liquid phase and its corresponding vapor phase at equilibrium using a simple and conceptually…

In this two-session experiment for an organic chemistry lab, students prepare a macrocyclic host compound--namely, a pillar[5]arene--by means of a templated 1,4-dimethoxybenzene/formaldehyde cyclo-oligomerization (session 1), and then, they explore its molecular recognition properties toward the 1,8-diaminooctane guest with the aid of [superscript…

Discussion-based outcomes of organic chemistry laboratory experiments form a powerful tool to create a learning environment, facilitate teamwork, and build scientific skills and analytical ability for undergraduate science students. A Knoevenagel-type condensation reaction was selected to demonstrate these results by taking phenylacetonitrile and…

The helium-plasma (HePI) ionization mass spectrometry method was used to track the formation of reaction products and consumption of reactants by continually monitoring the vapors in the reaction headspace in real time. Two examples of the application procedure are presented here: a nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction and a 1,4-nucleophilic…

Photochemical reactions are initiated by the absorption of light, triggering the chemical reactions and resulting in the formation of products. These reactions are generally performed using a freely available renewable source of energy-solar energy. Solar simulators mimic both the ultraviolet and visible regions of sunlight and hence can serve as…

Here, we present a laboratory activity in which the students work on an analysis of a questioned document that was written with one out of five possible pens. As a forensics study, the activity applied chemistry and analytical chemistry tools to solve the case. The students were able to apply polarity and solubility concepts to select and discard…

An adipic acid esterification experiment suitable for graduate students has been developed to describe the industrial manufacture of plasticizers. Students first follow the progress of the reaction with simple acid/base titration enabling measurement of the acid number. During the workup of the reaction mixture, they learn how to manage the…

Laboratory experiments provide training to students in experimental techniques and strengthen the understanding of the theory. Herein, a new introductory experiment for organic chemistry laboratory courses is described where students are trained in washing an unknown neutral organic compound using liquid/liquid extraction, isolating it via…