FastWoRX-M was used in place of liquid extraction for the reduction of 9-fluorenone to 9-fluorenol, a classic second-semester introductory organic chemistry experiment. FastWoRX-M is an absorption powder made by coating a magnetic, inert substrate with a hydrophobic polymer. This polymer coating offers a non-specific affinity for absorbing organic molecules, allowing extraction of organic products after aqueous work-up. FastWoRX-M accelerates the reaction work-up while reducing solvent use. 9-fluorenol was successfully synthesized, in high purity, from 9-fluorenone and extracted using FastWoRX-M in yields ranging from 23-75%. The products were analyzed by using a melting point apparatus and <sup>1</sup>H-NMR spectroscopy. These results demonstrate that FastWoRX-M is a valid alternative to traditional liquid extractions and may facilitate more efficient experiments in organic chemistry laboratories. Furthermore, FastWoRX-M was successfully recycled up to 10 times with good results. We report the results of a pilot study evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of using FasWoRX-M in an introductory organic chemistry laboratory at Carthage College. “Fast extraction” eliminates much of the frustration that arises with typical liquid extractions and offers an alternative laboratory experience to expose students to a wider variety of techniques in chemistry. Students’ experimental results, time spent conducting the experiment, and theoretical understanding of the chemistry involved were assessed and compared to a control group. FastWoRX-M is proposed as an alternative method of extraction in undergraduate organic labs in order to use laboratory time more efficiently and enable more chemistry or more discussion in the lab course.

Reduction of 9-fluorenone to 9-fluorenol as an undergraduate organic laboratories using FastWoRX-M

2019 Spring National Meeting

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