Stereoselective reduction of ketones to alcohols using baker's yeast is a classic experiment in the undergraduate laboratory. Here we illustrate the reduction of racemic ethyl 2-fluoro-3-oxobutanoate to the corresponding alcohol using a set of four commercially available ketoreductases (KREDs). The reaction sets two stereocenters with four…

A simple organic chemistry experiment is described that investigates the kinetics of the reaction between 1-bromobutane (BuBr) and iodide (I[superscript -]) as followed by observing the disappearance of BuBr and the appearance of 1-iodobutane (BuI) using [superscript 1]H NMR spectroscopy. In small groups of three to four, students acquire data to…

First-order kinetic decay rates can be obtained by measuring the time-dependent reflection spectra of ultraviolet-sensitive objects as they returned from their excited, colored state back to the ground, colorless state. In this paper, a procedure is described which provides an innovative and unique twist on standard, undergraduate, kinetics…

The effect of substrate concentration on the rate of enzymatic reaction was investigated and typical Michaelis-Mentin kinetics was observed during the first week. The first order reaction at relatively low concentrations of ethanol and the pseudo zero-order reaction at high concentrations of ethanol were emphasized.

An experiment is demonstrated to determine the percentage of oxygen in air using a pretreated piece of steel wool, which is an alternative to spectroscopic kinetic analysis. Students are able to determine the order of reaction for oxygen in its reaction with the iron in steel wool, and are able to use the existing technology to collect and analyze…

An experiment is performed to measure the relative gas-phase basicities of a series of five amino acids to compare the results to literature values. The experiments use the kinetic method for deriving ion thermochemistry and allow students to perform accurate measurements of thermodynamics in a relatively short time.

Outlines advantages of and provides background information, procedures, and typical student data for an experiment determining rate of hydration of p-methyoxyphenylacetylene (III), followed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Reaction rate can be adjusted to meet time framework of a particular laboratory by altering concentration of…

Presents an experimental approach to teaching molecular orbital models. Suggests utilizing photoelectron spectroscopy and molecular orbital theory as complementary approaches to teaching the qualitative concepts basic to molecular orbital theory. (SLH)

Describes an undergraduate physical chemistry experiment in which a low cost spectrofluorimeter is used to carry out elementary emission measurements on a transition metal complex. The students measure uncorrected emission and excitation spectra, and determine the rate constant for an exceedingly fast bimolecular reaction, the deactivation of an…

Describes an undergraduate experiment that provides instruction in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, reaction rates, and the application of mathematical procedures. (MLH)

Acceptable answers are provided for two chemistry questions. The first question is related to the prediction of the appearance of non-first-order proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The second question is related to extraterrestrial kinetic theory of gases. (JN)

Designed for the organic chemist involved in interpreting NMR spectra, basic concepts of chemical shift equivalence and magnetic equivalence in NMR spectrometry are discussed. (CS)

Presents an inorganic oxidation-reduction kinetics experiment, and describes a low cost (less than $50) modification of the Bausch and Lomb Spectronic 20 Colorimeter which will provide a linear output in absorbance. (MLH)

Background information, procedures, and typical results are provided for an experiment which integrates principles of fluorescent and kinetic analysis. In the procedure, mecuric chloride is used as a selective oxidizing agent for converting thiamine to thiochrome. The experiment can be completed in a two-hour laboratory period. (Author/JN)

The RKR method for determining accurate potential energy curves is described. Advantages of using the method (compared to Morse procedure) and a TRS-80 computer program which calculates the classical turning points by an RKR method are also described. The computer program is available from the author upon request. (Author/JN)