Organic Chemistry I Laboratory

Laboratory component of CHEM 3030. By applying concepts from the lecture course, students learn to synthesize, purify, analyze, and model organic compounds. Reactions include substitutions, eliminations, esterifications, and additions in order to synthesize aspirin, methylcylohexenes, diphenylacetylene, halobutanes, and methyl eugenol (a fruit fly pheromone). We will also analyze the biological efficacy of student prepared pheromones and statistically evaluate the data. Analytical instrumentation used by each student will include gas chromatography, ultraviolet and infrared spectroscopy (IR), mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. These techniques are used to test hypotheses relating to reaction mechanisms, purity, solubility, and biological activities. A $45 lab fee will apply for all in-person sections (excluding Military Campus programs).