The acquisition of a recording Infrared Spectrophotometer is substantially improving the quality and quantity of organic chemistry instruction. Students majoring in the pre-professional programs in chemistry, biology, environmental science and nutrition are having the opportunity to gain first hand experience with IR spectroscopy, an important tool in the modern organic chemistry laboratory. The technique is enabling students to collect information about and describe the molecular structure of known and unknown organic compounds, to analyze mixtures of closely related compounds, to determine the purity of products from synthetic reactions, and to detect, identify, and measure the concentration of short-lived intermediates. By using IR spectroscopy, students are comprehending more fully the importance of instruments at every stage of structure determination, from isolation and purification to final comparison with an authentic sample, and are becoming familiar with equipment that is normally encountered by sophomores in four-year colleges. The students are being better prepared for transfer to the four year schools. The grantee is matching the award from non-Federal sources.
