The advanced inorganic chemistry laboratory course at St. John Fisher College has been adapted to include a discovery research experiment involving the parallel synthesis of a series of new chemical compounds. The aim was to involve more students in a research experience, to teach laboratory techniques in the handling of moisture-sensitive materials, and to increase the potential for scholarly output in the form of novel publishable scientific results. Working in pairs, individual students carry out the synthesis and isolation of their own unique and novel organosilicon compound in a drybox, and obtain its full characterization by 1H, 13C, 29Si NMR, and IR spectroscopy. Additional purification is done by various recrystallization methods and if appropriate, the samples are submitted for X-ray crystal structure determination and/or elemental analysis. Students meet with the instructor to discuss their results and prepare laboratory reports in a standard journal format. The logistics and challenges of running the experiment, how those challenges were met, and outcomes will be described.

Integration of discovery research in the advanced inorganic chemistry laboratory

247th National Meeting (2014)

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