Resumen de Determination of an Unknown Aryl Amine Reactant Using Microwave-Assisted Acetanilide Synthesis and Thin-Layer Chromatography: A Multioutcome, Guided-Inquiry-Based Organic Chemistry Laboratory Experiment
Abby L. Manning, Bryanna N. Roos, Amber Flynn Charlebois, Kelly Hutchinson Anderson, Stephen G. Tajc
In an effort to further develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, a guided-inquiry-based, multioutcome organic chemistry synthesis and characterization experiment was developed. Students were provided with the protocol for a time-saving microwave-assisted acetanilide synthesis reaction from acetic anhydride and an unknown primary aryl amine. They developed their own protocol for thin-layer chromatography to determine their unknown reactant and assess the completion of the acetanilide reaction. The microwave-catalyzed reaction allowed time for characterization of the acetanilide product, including thin-layer chromatography, melting point, and 1H NMR spectroscopy during a single laboratory period. Determination of the unknown reactant was accomplished using these data. This experiment was successful in both science majors and health science majors organic chemistry courses.
