Spring 2021
Report (4 Parts: Introduction, Discussion, Conclusion, and References) Note: Experimental Section and Post Lab questions OMITTED unless otherwise noted
Writing a Lab Report
Times New Roman 12 pt font double space.
Reports to be submitted via email in Word or PDF format only.
!!!ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS cite your resources!!! Uncited work of a source is plagiarism
4 Sections; Introduction, Discussion, Conclusion, and References
No title page necessary
Last name, page number on top right corner of page
To: [Professor Name]
From: [Your Name]
Date: [mm/dd/yyyy experiment is due]
Subject: [Experiment No. Experiment Name]
Introduction
*Sentences (6 or more)
*Reaction Scheme (if a reaction occurred, can use MarvinSketch) give the reaction scheme for the experiment
*Possible Questions to answer: Why was it significant? Why is it still significant? (i.e. The Smith Reduction was discovered in 1922 by Joe Smith and Joan Doe. This reaction allowed one to convert aldehydes to alkanes by using an affordable iron catalyst at room temperature. It was significant because up until that time, the only aldehyde to alkane reductions were performed with highly reactive and dangerous reagents which were expensive. Because the Smith Reduction uses a cheap catalyst, it is still the preferred method today. As a result, in this experiment, we observed the conversion of aldehydes to alkanes which is cheap and simple enough for undergraduates to perform in an organic chemistry lab.)
Discussion
*Paragraphs (6 or more)
*Points to discuss/Questions to answer: This will vary depending on the reaction. However, take me through the experiment. What was happening at each step as you watched the video? Why was certain glassware used? Was there any special purpose techniques you saw? Describe potential areas of danger.
*Further points to discuss/questions to answer: Describe, again, the chemistry that is going on. What reaction is being run? Or is a reaction being run at all? Some experiments teach techniques only and may not have an actual chemical transformation taking place. What functional group is being converted to what product? Could this reaction work with other compounds/functional groups? If so, which? Why? (i.e. In this reaction, the conversion of aldehydes to alkanes, the specific conversion of benzaldehyde to toluene was performed. Benzaldehyde, which is derived from oil of almond, is an aldehyde. By combining is with this iron catalyst in acidic conditions, the aldehyde functional group is being attacked with hydrides, which are generated from the effect of the acid on the catalyst. Since aldehydes have an electrophilic carbonyl, this reaction might also work with ketones because ketones also have a carbonyl. However, ketones carbonyls are generally less electrophilic so the reaction, if it works, could be slower.
*If a reaction is being performed, discuss if it is a substitution or an elimination. If substitution, which component is the nucleophile. Which component the electrophile. If an elimination, which is the base. Which is the acid. If a proton transfer reaction mechanism is being performed, what is the proton donor, which component the proton acceptor.
*Other possible points to discuss: If youre having a hard time finding enough to write about, other questions you may address are those related to technique. Could the experiment have been done in a different way? Could different glassware be used? Solvents? What would be the result? How would you improve the technique? Why?
Conclusion
*Sentences (6 or more).
*A conclusion means restating your original thesis. You should restate which reaction was done, the purpose of that reaction, and then recap the results. Focus on the benefits of this reaction as well as the limitations. You can compare against other similar reactions. (i.e. For this experiment we performed the Smith Reduction. The purpose of this experiment was to convert aldehydes to alkanes using an iron catalyst. Although originally discovered in 1922 by Joe Smith and Jane Doe, this reaction is still useful because of etc While observing this experiment, it was noted that toxic vapors emitted and a suggestion was made that less volatile acids might give a safer result. Compared against the Johnson Reduction, this reaction is safer because etc Furthermore, it is limited because although yields are high with benzaldehyde, this reaction will not work for aliphatic aldehydesinsert reference
References
*As many references as needed. At least two should be given as part of this course now that its an online-based delivery requires some research. Research means references.
IMPORTANT: Unless otherwise stated, Post Lab questions are to be OMITTED
Reports due dates clearly mentioned in syllabus tentative schedule.
Submit reports via email in Word or PDF format
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