The laboratory work consists of the following:
A. The Synthesis, X-ray Powder Diffraction, and other analyses
of a
cubic-lattice solid of interest. Choices will probably include chromium metal,
tin tetra-iodide, magnetite, magnesium oxide, and maybe a few others.
B. N,N-Trimethyl Borazine: A somewhat challenging
preparation of a heterocyclic analog of mesitylene. Work is conducted
in a glove box and in other setups to rigorously exclude water vapor and
oxygen. With much care, your team will harvest a few mL of clear
liquid, which is to be characterized and chemically compared with its
hydrocarbon doppelganger.
C. Gas Handling in a Vacuum System: Study of the Reaction between BF3 and
N(CH3)3 (conducted in teams of two), with group theory analysis of the
infrared spectrum of the adduct. For safety’s sake, Ted will supervise this
operation rather closely for each team. Pairs of students will perform the
vacuum line work in week 1, then finish up the sublimation and
characterizations in scrounged moments during the remainder of the course.
Students should plan on doing the three experiments (A, B, and C) during the
first three weeks of the block, with the possible exception of the X-ray
characterization of the compound synthesized in Part A, which might carry
over into the fourth week. More detailed lab logistics will be worked the
first Tuesday of the course. A mandatory
professional lab safety briefing will start the afternoon that same day.
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