Resumen de Solvent Swelling and Optical Rotation Demonstrated on the Overhead Projector

Dean J. Campbell, Sarah B. Rupe

• Reversible solvent swelling of the transparent elastomer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with organic solvents can be shown on an overhead projector. Evaporation of the solvents from a swollen slab of PDMS can result in dramatic crack formation throughout the slab. Use of optically active solvents such as the (R)-(+) and (S)-(-) enantiomers of limonene results in the solvent-swollen slab of PDMS having optical activity that can be shown using an overhead projector.