Focuses on a recent approach to chirality that seeks to call attention to the fact that current usage of this term is often inconsistent with its proper relationship to molecular structure. (TW)

Describes a method that uses ping-pong balls to construct 3-D models of covalent molecules to represent Group I-VIII atoms. (ZWH)

The measurement of the infrared rotation-vibration spectrum of HCl(g) is a common experiment in the physical chemistry laboratory, which allows students the opportunity to explore quantization of rotational states in diatomic molecules. It is found that the CO2 vibration-rotation spectrum if used as an addition to the HCl experiment would give the…

A study demonstrates the thermal degradation of two heat-sensitive polymers, namely, polystyrene and poly (methyl methacrylate). The experiment described in the study introduces undergraduate students to polymer structure as well as the application of spectroscopic techniques to the solution of structural problems.

Self-assembly or spontaneous assembly is a process in which materials build themselves without assistance. This process plays a central role in the construction of biological structures and materials such as cells, viruses, and bone, and also in abiotic processes like phase transitions and crystal formation. The principles of self-assembly help…

Chemical reactions induced by light have been utilized for synthesizing highly strained, thermodynamically unstable compounds, which are inaccessible through non-photochemical methods. Photochemical cycloaddition reactions, especially those leading to the formation of four-membered rings, constitute a convenient route to compounds that are…

This is part two in a series on classroom demonstrations of polymer principles. Described is how large molecules can be assembled from subunits (the process of polymerization). Examples chosen include both linear and branched or cross-linked molecules. (RH)

The valence-shell electron-pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory is a useful tool for predicting molecular structures. The major stumbling block in teaching VSEPR theory for coordination numbers two through six is in explaining the arrangement of five electron pairs. The dilemma of five-coordination and implications for instruction in introductory…

Examines the current debate concerning molecular structure, providing an overall assessment of the debate, discussing the development and relationship of successive concepts of molecular structure, and considering what students should be taught about molecular structure and quantum mechanics. Also addresses the tension between continuity and…

Structural formulas give professional chemists information about physical and chemical properties of corresponding compounds. In chemistry education at secondary schools, structural formulas are introduced in the context of chemical bonding. Structural formulas are not introduced as representations of the properties of chemical compounds. This…

Presents a procedure for evaluating the required integrals for undergraduate students attempting to understand the consequences of perturbation theory. (CS)

Describes current and cutting-edge research on proteins that may spark the interest of biology students. Contains 27 references. (WRM)

In this undergraduate biochemistry laboratory experiment, the vacuolar ATPase protein complex is purified from yeast cell extracts by doing immunoprecipitations under nondenaturing conditions. Immunoprecipitations are performed using monoclonal antibodies to facilitate data interpretation, and subunits are separated on the basis of their molecular…

A laboratory experiment on the adsorption of phosphate on goethite is presented, which also includes discussion on surface properties, interfaces, acid-base equilibrium, molecular structure and solid state chemistry. It was seen that many students were able to produce qualitatively correct results for a complex system of real interest and they…