In order to explore new teaching and learning methods for undergraduates in chemistry at the University of Warwick, interactive workshops based on the periodic table were devised by a team of chemists and theatre practitioners. In the first term of the academic year, students were assigned an element to research, and were required to submit…

For more than 200 years, the beautiful "molybdenum blue solutions" have been a puzzle for chemists because they could not determine the molecular structures of the solutes while experiments showing the Tyndall effect proved the presence of "giant species". This problem was finally solved in Bielefeld. As a result of this discovery, novel inorganic…

An exercise is described which introduces students to using concepts in thermochemistry to predict relative stability of a hypervalent molecule. Students will compare the energies of formation for both fluoride and the hydride by calculations and they will also explore the issue of partial ionic character in polar covalent bonds.

A chemical mystery with an emphasis on qualitative inorganic analysis, forensic chemistry and medicinal substances is discussed. The mystery is solved by Sherlock Holmes with the help of clues provided.

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)

Discusses mathematical shortcuts that can be used to estimate the pH of most aqueous solutions. (WRM)

Presents a simple qualitative system for sketching all manner of acid-base titration curves, requiring only the approximate values of the acid or base ionization constants. (WRM)

Describes a procedure for the qualitative analysis of aluminum subgroup cations designed to avoid failure to obtain lead or barium chromate precipitates or failure to report aluminum hydroxide when present (due to staining). Provides a flow chart and step-by-step explanation for the new procedure, indicating significantly improved student results.…

Described is an experiment in which factor analysis is used to identify and quantify the components of mixtures containing up to four species. Discussed are the theory, procedures, and sample results for this activity. (CW)

Described is an experiment involving the synthesis and spectral studies of cobalt complexes that not only give general chemistry students an introduction to inorganic synthesis but allows them to conduct a systematic study on the effect of different ligands on absorption spectra. Background information, procedures, and experimental results are…

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…

Described are two microscale chemistry laboratory experiments including "Microscale Syntheses of Heterocyclic Compounds," and "Microscale Acid-Base Extraction--A Colorful Introduction." Materials, procedures and probable results are discussed. (CW)

Discussed is a technique used by Alfred Werner to resolve inorganic coordination compounds. The materials, procedures and analysis necessary for undergraduates to repeat this procedure are described. (CW)

Presented is an activity in which the pH of a solution can be quantitatively measured using a spectrophotometer. The theory, experimental details, sample preparation and selection, instrumentation, and results are discussed. (CW)

Describes two demonstrations for college level chemistry courses including: "Electrochemical Cells Using Sodium Silicate" and "A Simple, Vivid Demonstration of Selective Precipitation." Lists materials, preparation, procedures, and precautions. (CW)