by Cao Cu Giac, Pham Ngoc Tuan and Le Thi Thu Hiep
Original Research
The chemistry program in university includes content on reaction mechanisms and IR and NMR spectroscopy. However, the laboratory conditions are limited, so students do not have access to experimental spectral data. Applying the CDIO teaching process, we designed a group activity for university students to help them improve their knowledge and ability to predict reaction mechanisms as well as use spectroscopy to confirm structures of predicted products. On that basis, there will be impact assessments on students' capacity when researching the structure of organic compounds in chemistry to take appropriate improvement measures. This activity uses spectral analysis and reaction mechanisms in an exercise. Students are tasked with predicting the reaction mechanism to identify the products of an organic chain reaction. Then, they analyze the provided IR and 1H NMR spectra and match each spectrum with the appropriate product.
World Journal of Chemical Education. 2024, 12(1), 39-44. DOI: 10.12691/wjce-12-1-6
Pub. Date: March 19, 2024
by A. Habekost
Original Research
Ferricyanide and ferrocyanide are often used in undergraduate education to experimentally investigate the redox behaviour, the different thermodynamic stability and the formation of Prussian Blue. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on colloids is intensively studied in chemistry, but the didactic implications in terms of developing easy-to-perform experiments have not been intensively discussed. These experiments show the spectroelectrochemical behaviour (optical and Raman) of the redox system on gold and silver electrodes at different potentials. The SERS experiments show that the Raman modes are changed due to the strong adsorption on the electrochemically prepared Au and Ag surfaces. Prussian blue can be easily prepared electrochemically.
World Journal of Chemical Education. 2024, 12(1), 30-38. DOI: 10.12691/wjce-12-1-5
Pub. Date: March 15, 2024
by Ayat Ahmed shukran and Lekaa Hussain Khadim
Original Research
Adsorption from aqueous solutions by employing Peel of pomegranates charcoal (PP) for folic acid as inexpensive and accessible adsorbent materials are explored in this research. The sorption behavior of (PP) toward folic acid was investigated using batch adsorption studies as a function of temperature, pH, reaction duration, dose of (PP) wastes, and beginning concentration. Time-dependent tests revealed that for (PP), adsorption achieved equilibrium after 90 minutes. Folic acid adsorption is reported to be more effective in acidic pH for (PP). Equilibrium isotherms were investigated by using Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushckevich (D-R) models and it was observed that the equilibrium data could be well explained by Temkin for the adsorption process on (PP) wastes. The experimental findings showed that the nine kinetics models, which included basic first-order, pseudo first-order, second-order, and pseudo second-order models, followed the Pseudo second-order equation for PP with strong correlation coefficients (R2 = 0.9997). The determination of thermodynamic parameters, including ∆Ho, ∆So, and ∆Go, revealed a predominance of physisorption, according to the data .The adsorption's endothermic nature process is confirmed by the positive values of ∆H and ∆S, which also enhance the unpredictability of the system interface. The favorable and spontaneous adsorption process is shown by the negative value of ∆G. The results show that PP may be effectively employed as a pharmaceutical adsorbent to remove folic acid from liquid states.
World Journal of Chemical Education. 2024, 12(1), 19-29. DOI: 10.12691/wjce-12-1-4
Pub. Date: February 27, 2024
by Monsurat M. Lawal and Tugba G Kucukkal
Original Research
This paper presents an undergraduate computational chemistry lab experiment of the E2 elimination reaction of 2-bromopropane to form propene. Utilizing the Hartree-Fock (HF) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods within the computational frameworks of Avogadro and ORCA, the experiment offers a comprehensive insight into the reaction mechanism, activation energy, and electronic structure changes associated with the reaction. The experiment was structured to enhance students' understanding of key concepts in quantum chemistry and organic chemistry, including molecular orbitals, electron density, and reaction kinetics. By calculating and analyzing the activation energy and reaction pathways, students will gain a deepened understanding of the transition states and the energy profiles of the E2 elimination process. The experiment effectively demonstrates theoretical principles applications to practical scenarios, correlating computational findings with experimental data when available, thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice. It also fosters the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on experience with computational tools and data analysis. This approach not only elucidates the fundamental principles of the E2 elimination reaction but also highlights the versatility and significance of computational methods in modern chemical research and education.
World Journal of Chemical Education. 2024, 12(1), 13-18. DOI: 10.12691/wjce-12-1-3
Pub. Date: February 25, 2024
by Cao Cu Giac, Cao Thi Van Giang and Tran Van Thanh
Original Research
General chemistry programs at universities around the world often focus on learning from the first and second school year, in which knowledge of thermodynamics plays a fundamental role in studying the theory of chemical processes. Although it is learned early at universities that train chemistry students, but with the content is difficult and complex when developing the application of thermodynamic principles to chemical processes occurring in closed systems to research chemical equilibrium, has caused many students to lose their learning direction, leading to not good academic results. In order to overcome those difficulties, we designed a learning project based on the CDIO teaching mode to guide students in forming project ideas, project design, project implementation and operation. Through the project, students will easily access thermodynamic issues to evaluate a chemical process occurring, creating a strong motivation for students to research chemistry.
World Journal of Chemical Education. 2024, 12(1), 6-12. DOI: 10.12691/wjce-12-1-2
Pub. Date: January 22, 2024
by Sanjeev Rachuru, Raju Manthena, K. Ankamma, D. A. Padmavathi and V. Jagannadham
Original Research
Hammett and Taft equations are applied together on the deprotonation equilibriums of isoxazolium cations.
World Journal of Chemical Education. 2024, 12(1), 1-5. DOI: 10.12691/wjce-12-1-1
Pub. Date: January 04, 2024