First Day in Organic Lab

Christine K. F. Hermann
Department of Chemistry and Physics, Box 6949, Radford University, Radford, VA 24142
J. Chem. Educ., 1996, 73 (9), p 852
DOI: 10.1021/ed073p852
Publication Date (Web): September 1, 1996

Abstract

This experiment is designed to introduce students to the techniques of reflux, distillation, gas chromatography, and the determination of boiling point and melting point during one lab period. This lab is written so that it can be performed during the first day of lab in organic chemistry, without the students necessarily knowing any organic chemistry. The students answer questions, based upon their observation of the reflux and distillation apparatus, which are already assembled and in operation upon the students' arrival in the lab. Melting points and boiling points are performed by the students on unknown samples, and these unknowns were identified by comparison to a limited list of possibilities. A mixture of alcohols is analyzed by the students. Each student injects a sample under supervision, obtains a chromatogram, and from this, calculates peak area.

Keywords (Audience):

Second-Year Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Organic Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

Separation Science
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  • Received: August 03, 2009

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