Chemical reactions are a central theme of undergraduate organic chemistry courses, which generally emphasize structure, reactivity, and synthesis. This research is seeking to expand upon existing literature regarding students’ understanding of organic mechanisms using a three-dimensional approach. Students’ abilities to successfully write reaction mechanisms will be coupled with their understanding and abilities to explain how the product mixture is impacted by both kinetics and thermodynamics. The primary focus upon the first stage of the research is to analyze substitution and elimination reactions, which are generally introduced in the first course in the sequence. By targeting the first course, we seek to identify potential barriers that may hinder students’ success in the first and subsequent courses in the sequence. Specific correlations between general chemistry performance and students’ success in using these embedded concepts will be presented and discussed. The goal of the research is to develop teaching interventions in the first course to promote a deeper understanding of mechanisms and greater success in subsequent courses.

Thermodynamics and kinetics: Sometimes forgotten but still quite important in organic chemistry

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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