9351150 Spector The project will purchase an FT-infrared spectrophotometer for use in the introductory freshman and organic courses. The innovative curricular approach will include aspects of molecular symmetry, polymer properties, and studies of inorganic complexes. FTIR experiments will be introduced into the first-year chemistry curriculum: functional group analysis of prepared polymer films and a comparative FTIR study of organometallic complexes of D3, C2 and D2h symmetry. In the organic chemistry laboratory, concepts learned in general chemistry will be reinforced by employing increasingly complex and sophisticated experiments using FTIR spectroscopy. This systematic approach to FTIR spectroscopy in the context of organic chemistry will include: functional group analysis via qualitative "unknown" analysis (reinforcing the thin-film polymer general chemistry experiment); determination of purity and completeness of a reaction; examination of chemical equilibria (reinforcing thermodynamic concepts learned in general chemistry); and examination of the molecular environment (reinforcing the coordination complex general chemistry IR experiment). ***
