Multiple uses of instrumentation in the general chemistry program

CHED 456

Curtis R. Pulliam, cpulliam@utica.edu and William F. Pfeiffer, wpfeiffer@utica.edu. Department of Chemistry, Utica College, 1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502
We have been using IR and NMR in our general chemistry laboratory for over 10 years as a way for students to gather and use information relating to molecular structure. Students use visible spectroscopy in three experiments, IR twice, and carbon-13 NMR in two different experiments. In some of these experiments the use of instrumentation is fundamental to the analysis (copper in brass), in others they are additions to commonly done experiments (aspirin synthesis and the determination of the identity of an unknown organic acid), and some are totally new experiments we have developed (such as a discovery activity about NMR). Using an instrument multiple times allows students to have one experience concentrating on what kind of information can be gathered and how to analyze that information, and another experience seeing how the instrument can help them solve problems relating to molecular structure or purity.