Nucleophilic substitution reactions: A guided inquiry experiment

CHED 403

Kevin L Pate, patek@marietta.edu, Kyle E Ryder, ryderk@marietta.edu, and Kyndra B Kephart, kephartk@marietta.edu. Department of Chemistry, Marietta College, 215 Fifth Street, Marietta, OH 45750
We are currently developing a guided inquiry sophomore organic chemistry experiment that allows students to investigate the various factors that determine the rate and mechanism of nucleophilic substitution reactions. The purpose of this project is to develop an experiment that provides a more complete investigation of substitution reactions than is typically presented in the sophomore lab. In order to do this, our experiment will involve teams of students studying various aspects of the reaction, including the structures of the alkyl halide and the nucleophile, the identity of the leaving group, temperature, and solvent. By conducting this experiment as a group project and pooling all of the data, it is our hope that the students will be able to draw meaningful conclusions about the factors influencing nucleophilic substitution reactions. This poster will describe the progress we have made toward completion of this experiment.