The 2015 ACS Guidelines for approved undergraduate B.S. programs in chemistry emphasize the importance of and require the teaching of macromolecular chemistry. These guidelines provide a number of teaching suggestions. A 2017 ACS supplement about macromolecular, supramolecular and nanoscale (MSN) systems provides additional detail about various MSN topics. A search of the Journal of Chemical Education on the combined topics of ‘polymer’ and ‘synthesis’ produces some 180+ articles, describing a variety of experiments for polymer synthesis and analysis. The vast majority of these experiments focus on a particular polymer, an experimental method and/or the analysis of a polymer. We here like to present a slightly different approach in that students of the undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory are engaging in a number of short polymer experiments. This lab consists of the following experiments: the FT-IR analysis, solubility testing, and melting behavior of polymers selected from five common polymers (as noted by their recycling code) and several plant/animal-based polymers; the syntheses of an aliphatic polyamide (Nylon 6,6), an aliphatic polyester (ring-opening of ε-Caprolactone), an aliphatic aromatic polyester network (polymerization of phthalic anhydride with glycerol); the synthesis of alginate microcapsule (transient) networks, the testing of the water-absorbability of a superabsorbent polymer network (from diapers), and an assessment of the dyeability of polymers. Results, as well as pros and cons of these experiments will be presented. Students are required to prepare a written pre-lab, a written post-lab and a typed report consisting of the results and discussion of the lab.

Introducing undergraduate students to the polymer world in the organic chemistry laboratory

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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