Discusses direct chemical information that can be obtained from modern nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods, concentrating on the types of problems that can be solved. Shows how selected methods provide information about polymers, bipolymers, biochemistry, small organic molecules, inorganic compounds, and compounds oriented in a magnetic…

The design and use of an inexpensive thermistor thermometer is described. In addition to providing a rugged thermometer, using the instruments offers an opportunity to have students become familiar with new principles and techniques, such as principles of thermistors, the Wheatstone bridge, and the concept of calibration. (JN)

Describes an experiment that involves the extraction of lead from gasoline into an aqueous solvent using iodine monochloride reagent. This method (which avoids the aspiration of organic solvents) also illustrates the use of wavelengths other than the most sensitive wavelength and effects of flame stoichiometry and burner height upon absorbance.…

Background information, experimental procedures used, and typical results obtained are provided for an experiment that demonstrates the stereospecific arrangement of cyclopropyl halides to allylic halides. (JN)

Describes the use of phase transfer conditions to prepare a sulfur and phosphorus ylide. Background information and procedures are provided for the experiment (which can be completed in one three-hour laboratory period). (JN)

Presented are procedures used to assay the activity of lipase during storage at three different temperatures. Since lipase solutions can decay even when refrigerated, it is recommended that the enzyme be freshly prepared prior to laboratory sessions in which they are used. (JN)

Provides procedures to measure the calcium concentration in fruit juice by atomic absorption. Fruit juice is used because: (1) it is an important consumer product; (2) large samples are available; and (3) calcium exists in fruit juice at concentrations that do not require excessive dilution or preconcentration prior to measurement. (JN)

Although it is a major synthetic reaction, the Wittig reaction has not been used in undergraduate laboratories due to the potential hazard and difficulty associated with the preparation/use of the strong bases needed to generate the required ylides. Procedures are presented for an experiment in which these difficulties are avoided. (JN)

Describes an experiment which shows: (1) how measurements of the reaction electromotive force for the cell (Pt/glass/NaCl(aq,m),buffer/AgCl/Ag/Pt) can be utilized in determining the absolute pH of the buffer; and (2) the demonstration of the use of the Debye-Huckel model of an electrolyte solution in solving an important electrochemical problem.…

Describes an experiment in which undergraduate students can do simple Huckel Molecular Orbital (HMO) calculations from spectral data for a series of four closely related dyes. (JN)

Background information, procedures, and typical results obtained are provided for two demonstrations. The first involves the colorful complexes of copper(II). The second involves reverse-phase separation of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD & C) dyes using a solvent gradient. (JN)

Background information (including relevant chemical reactions), procedures used, and results obtained are provided for the synthesis and characterization of a macrobicyclic complex. The synthesis can be completed within two to three hours and is inexpensive and safe. Suggestions for further experiments are included. (JN)

Procedures are provided for experiments containing complex ions with octahedral symmetry, hexaamminecobalt(III) chloride and hexaamminechromium(III) nitrate, so students can interpret fully the ultra violet/visible spectra of the complex cations in terms of the ligand field parameters, 10 "Dq," the Racah interelectron repulsion parameters, "B,"…

Presented is a three-hour instrumental analysis experiment which allows study of software data-handling methods. These methods include sampling, boxcar averaging, smoothing, ensemble averaging, and digital filtering. Use of the program should provide students with a better idea of advantages and disadvantages of using such software data-handling…

Describes a procedure for determining ethane-1,2-diamine (EN) which is generally applicable for inert or labile complexes or for EN in its salts, although it cannot be used directly with ammonium or coordinated ammonia. It gives results with five percent accuracy or better and requires less than one hour laboratory time. (JN)