Historically significant and useful reactions are often unsuitable for the undergraduate laboratory, especially when using persistent toxic reagents. The oxymercuration/demercuration reaction is such a reaction. Bismuth acetate and zinc acetate are promising alternatives for mercuric acetate in this reaction. The procedure for this adapted reaction is well-suited for the teaching of techniques such as extraction, gas chromatography, thin layer chromatography, and column chromatography. Products that are isolated can be characterized using IR and <sup>1</sup>H NMR, affording another opportunity to teach instrumentation in the undergraduate organic chemistry lab.

Greener procedure for the regioselective hydration of alkenes: Use in the undergraduate organic laboratory

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.