CHED 368 |
| In an effort to integrate nanoscience concepts throughout the chemistry curriculum at James Madison University (JMU), several new experiments have been designed and implemented in our undergraduate laboratories. The synthesis of a gemini amphiphile, ethanediyl-α,ω-bis(dodecyldimethylammonium) dibromide, referred to as “12-2-12”, was optimized and a critical micelle concentration (CMC) study was completed. Formation of micelles in water was studied using several indirect techniques: surface tension, conductivity, and diffusion rate (DOSY). In addition, fluorescent techniques were used to study the colloidal properties of aqueous samples of 12-2-12 using the fluorescent probes pyrene and 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(p-dimethylaminostyryl)-4H-pyran). Various aspects of the synthesis and colloidal analysis of 12-2-12 have been implemented in several labs at JMU including the organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and a new upper-division nanoscience course, Science of the Small. Also, students from a local high school participated in a modified version of this colloidal study. The experiments were successfully performed by students in laboratory courses during the 2006-2007 academic year. Subsequently, conditions for parallel synthesis in a large microwave were optimized to be used in a future iteration of the organic teaching laboratory. The dibromide form of 16-2-16 was converted to the dihydroxide (via ion exchange), which was then mixed with an equimolar amount of D- (or L-) tartaric acid yielding 16-2-16 with a chiral tartrate counterion. Aggregates of this compound were characterized by NMR and SEM. This ion exchange will be implemented in the Science of the Small course during the Spring 2009 semester. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Chemical Education
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |