Reaction Optimization Experiment for Undergraduate Capstone Organic Chemistry Laboratory Course

Molecular Structure and Organic Synthesis (MSOS) is an upper-division undergraduate (capstone) laboratory course for undergraduates majoring in chemistry at Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA). The course is designed for juniors and seniors and is based on self-regulated research and learning under limited instructor supervision. It includes a 2-step synthetic project, chosen by each student in the class from a list based on the Organic Synthesis periodical or actual faculty research and then carried out independently. In order to prepare students for their syntheses, we recently included a new project in the course syllabus focused on a reaction optimization that introduces the undergraduate students to the concepts of raising reaction yield, improving product purity, lessening the environmental impact of the reaction, and/or increasing its cost efficiency. A team of 2-3 students performs a preliminary experiment. A rerun by each individual team member incorporating his or her modifications follows this. The goal of this preparatory exercise is to enhance the students' soft skills, including teamwork, critical analysis of data, and scientific report preparation as well as develop a deeper understanding of the reaction mechanism to make calculated adjustments to reaction conditions for optimization.