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A green determination of an equilibrium constant: teaching new skills

  • Steven J. Bachofer EMAIL logo and Mark D. Lingwood
Published/Copyright: June 27, 2018
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Abstract

The spectroscopic determination of an equilibrium constant is a classic experiment in the general chemistry laboratory curriculum. Here we describe a new version of this experiment, incorporating green chemistry practices into the general chemistry lab curriculum and directly teaching students about the principles of green chemistry. This lab studies the formation of the iron(III) salicylate complex ion, which is a more benign chemical system than the traditional iron(III) thiocyanate complex. A microtiter plate reader is used to reduce sample volumes, also giving students important experience using research-grade instrumentation. In addition, students gain more experience using adjustable manual micropipettors. Students responded positively to the lab, appreciating the green nature of the lab and the introduction of the plate reader, and student comments suggested that this lab successfully introduces green chemistry concepts to the general chemistry curriculum.

Acknowledgements

The Chemistry Department began pursuing screening methods in the upper division curriculum with the generous support of the Thomas J. Long Foundation, who funded the purchase of the BioRad plate reader in 2006. This instrument is now utilized throughout the curriculum and in research. The additional efforts of Ian Ziraldo were also appreciated in the development of this laboratory experiment.

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Published Online: 2018-06-27

© 2018 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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