Three gold-nanoparticle (AuNP) undergraduate experiment modules that are focused on nanoparticles interfacial phenomena have been developed. Modules 1 and 2 explore the synthesis and characterization of AuNPs of different sizes but with the same total gold mass. These experiments enable students to determine how particle size affects the AuNP optical properties and ligand binding capacities. Module 3 investigates the fundamental mechanism governing organothiol self-assembly onto AuNPs and explores the fate of the sulfurbounded hydrogen (RS−H) for organothiols on the AuNP surface. A benchtop centrifuge, a UV−vis spectrophotometer, and pH strips are needed. The depth of required chemistry knowledge is appropriate for upper-level chemistry students.

Adsorption studies of salicylic acid (SA) and 4-nitroaniline (4NA) from aqueous solutions were performed with magnetic biochar (MBC) in order to train students in analytical techniques such as standard calibration curves, UV–vis spectrophotometry, and chemical separations within the context of wastewater purification. Analysis of samples purified by MBC enhances student understanding of water quality and the importance of potable water production, a growing worldwide concern. MBC was prepared by iron oxide precipitation onto the biochar surface using an aqueous Fe3+/Fe2+ solution followed by NaOH treatment. MBC effectiveness in removing organic contaminants from water was evaluated using UV–vis spectroscopy, Beer’s law, and a comparison to standard calibration curves while determining the concentrations of two contaminant compounds. The use of MBC to remove organic contaminants in water highlights the effectiveness of this technique for wastewater remediation and prompt discussion of water quality concerns with undergraduate students.

Mass spectrometers are ever-increasingly powerful, user-friendly, and affordable. Thus, the addition of mass spectrometry experiments into the undergraduate laboratory curriculum is now both feasible and an effective tool to introduce students to relevant instrumentation. Here an experiment demonstrating the use of a highresolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESI-HRMS) for the identification of peptide sequences and the differentiation of isomeric peptides was developed and implemented in a biochemistry laboratory course for third-year chemistry major undergraduate students. This lab activity was a first introduction to mass spectrometry for undergraduate biochemistry students. As a prelab assignment, students were tasked to predict the mass-to-charge ratios and the fragmentation patterns for six given peptides using an online fragmentation prediction tool (Protein Prospector's MS-Product tool). Students then analyzed two unknown peptides using ESI-HRMS. The theoretical and experimental results were compared to reveal the identity of the two unknown peptides. The student success rate of recognizing the unknown peptide sequences was 87.5%. This laboratory experiment provided students with hands-on experience using a research-grade ESI-HRMS instrument to solve a bioanalytical problemspecifically, the identification of the primary structure of a peptide of unknown sequence. Learning outcomes were evaluated for this experiment, which showed student understanding of peptide sequencing using mass spectrometry.

Educators at Mississippi State University developed an at-home, kitchen chemistry style laboratory to accompany the Survey of Organic Chemistry lecture course. The course featured 12 lab activities; eight hands-on experiences that focused primarily on important organic concepts including acid strength, extraction techniques, chromatographic separation, recrystallization, and selected organic reactions. Four online modeling experiences used ChemSketch and three-dimensional visualization to support student understanding of stereochemistry, isomer configurations, and important reaction mechanisms. A unique component of this laboratory course was that students uploaded photo diaries of their experiments to demonstrate completion. The developed course was implemented and taught for three semesters at Mississippi State University with 119 students successfully completing the at-home, self-paced laboratory course. The authors share this at-home laboratory experience as an option for programs exploring novel, off-campus approaches to laboratory experiences.

A simple and inexpensive paper chromatography experiment that separates and identifies major organic acids in wine and fruit juices has been developed for introductory organic undergraduate students to teach the basics of chromatography. This experiment reinforces several concepts for students such as compound separation via extraction and chromatography, intermolecular forces and acidity, and a comparison of organic acid polarities related to structure. In addition, the separation of acids within wine and/or fruit juices enhances student understanding of real-world organic acids present in foods. Citric, malic, tartaric, and lactic acids, all potential components of fruit juices and wine samples, are the focus of this experiment that includes a description of the malolactic fermentation occurring in wine samples. A mobile phase mixture of n-butanol, formic acid, acetone, and ethanol along with bromocresol green indicator allows for fast separation and visualization of the acids of interest. Retention factor calculation and identification of acid types present in selected samples encourage student understanding of overall acidity and the relationship of pK a values to acid structure. This analysis helped students understand the impact of intermolecular forces, pH, and the application of paper chromatography in real-world situations.