The use of NMR to explore the equilibrium between the keto and enol forms of 2,4-pentanedione has been a well-used experiment in the undergraduate physical chemistry laboratory as a means for students to explore the effect of solvent environment on the stability of one chemical configuration over another. The experiment has seen multiple revisions as NMR instrumentation has evolved and more derivative compounds and deuterated solvents have become available on the market. The next iteration, described here, is to present the experiment to students in a POGIL framework.  This experiment has been retooled with more than one experimental cycle for students to explore the dependence of the keto-enol equilibrium on solvent, substituent and temperature. The inquiry-based nature of a POGIL experiment framework creates a very flexible learning environment that allows students to make choices in how they will carry out successive experiments.  Some choices can create new other experimental concerns that will be discussed. Testing of the experiment with students and by others in the POGIL-PCL (Physical Chemistry Laboratory) group will also be discussed.

Using a POGIL framework for the keto-enol NMR experiment

2019 Fall National Meeting

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