Transition metal catalyzed reactions are a mainstay in modern organic synthesis, yet typical organic chemistry teaching laboratories do not integrate such reactions into their curriculum. Presented here are two operationally simple and economical laboratories that introduce Pd and Cu catalysis to undergraduates. The first example is a palladium catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction; the second example is a copper catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Both reactions are run in water and adhere to the principles of green chemistry in several respects. Coordinating these activities with inquiry-based teaching laboratories is also discussed.

Two simple transition metal catalyzed reactions for the undergraduate organic chemistry teaching laboratory

248th National Meeting (2014)

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