Author Archives: alan

Pesky asymmetric N atoms

Posted on October 19, 2009 by alan

I just came across this in the Editor's Choice section of Science magazine (Oct 2, 2009, p. 19):Getting a Grip on NitrogenChirality is associated more with carbon than with nitrogen centers, as the latter atoms tend to invert their configurations… Continue reading →

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Exam #2 results

Posted on October 19, 2009 by alan

Exam #2 has been graded and is available for you to pick up in Kathy Kennedy's office.Kathy will be out of the office on Th-F during Fall Break so please stop by early in the week if you want your… Continue reading →

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Polymer humor

Posted on October 16, 2009 by alan

This was forwarded to me today from the EHS office. Acrylonitrile's formula H2C=CH-CN. Nerd humor based on a CN triple bond. "Acrylic" is a common textile material. It is favored for its wool-like feel and commonly used in socks. "Acrylic'… Continue reading →

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Resolving Agents – Achiral? Chiral?

Posted on October 14, 2009 by alan

A great question came my way right after lecture: can resolving agents by achiral?The short answer is no…. Continue reading →

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pKa of Bromcresol Green lab – feedback

Posted on October 11, 2009 by alan

I made two marks on each lab. Report indicates whether the written document was prepared properly. In-lab/Models indicates whether you followed directions reasonably well during the two lab periods.A number of "unsatisfactory" Report grades were issued. Most of these were… Continue reading →

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HW #4 feedback

Posted on October 11, 2009 by alan

First, a confession … I made a mistake on the answer sheet that I posted last Friday. The very first problem asks for the reaction product of HI + 1-butene in the presence of peroxides. The correct (?) answer is… Continue reading →

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Updates – Salicylic acid, banana oil labs, and more…

Posted on October 8, 2009 by alan

Salicylic acid experiment. You should go into lab on your own and perform the two activities needed to complete this experiment:weigh your productmeasure its melting "point"These operations may be performed on any week day (9 AM – 5 PM) between… Continue reading →

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Lecture slides – Wed Oct 7

Posted on October 7, 2009 by alan

Slides for today's lecture are located here.I'll be updating this page with information on the rotation barrier in HO-OH later today. Let me know if you would like links to information about conumption/manufacture of polymers, plastics, and petroleum…. Continue reading →

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HW #3 comments

Posted on October 4, 2009 by alan

This assignment seems to have set a new "standard" for stumping students and I found myself writing "please come see me this week" messages on an unprecedented number of assignments.First, let me talk about the "come see me" note. The… Continue reading →

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Download new HW & experience the Greek Festival

Posted on October 2, 2009 by alan

All kinds of tidbits to share as we enter the first weekend in October:Homework page has been updated with answers to #3 and problems for #4Several folks turned in lab notebooks with their lab reports. Yikes – I wasn't counting… Continue reading →

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