Investigations of Polymorphic Germylene Structures, ExperimentalCalculations of a New Boron-Sulfur Heterocycle and Assessment of aSafety Curriculum in an Undergraduate Laboratory.

[摘要] The dynamic interaction between chemistry and humankind is explored via investigations with benign substrates and the incorporation of proper laboratory technique instruction to a general audience. This intersection will be discussed in further detail in the introductory chapter of this thesis.The second chapter of this thesis describes the determination of two polymorphic structures from relatively non-toxic Cp*GeCl. The investigation of the polymorphic stability led to discovery of a solution equilibrium between monomeric and dimeric or higher oligomeric species. These experiments revealed the conversion of polymorphicstructures in solid state and solution, allowing a thorough exploration of the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of each of the polymorphic structures.The third chapter of this dissertation describes computational analysis of the aromaticity of the recently prepared boron heterocycle, 2-diiosopropylamino-2H-1,2-thiaborin. The importance and potential utility of aromatic boron-containing heterocycles in electronic devices and hydrogen storage is discussed. The theory behind computational chemistry and the analysis of the aromaticity, HOMO/LUMO, and nuclear magnetic resonance shifts of 2-diiosopropylamino-2H-1,2-thiaborin are also reported. NICS (1) calculations determined that external π-interactions of the external aminosubstituent greatly decrease the aromaticity of the parent ring.The fourth chapter describes the development and analysis of the effectiveness of a chemical hygiene-based laboratory curriculum incorporated in the University of Michigan undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory course, Chemistry 211. There is a great need to educate the general population of undergraduates enrolled in lower-division organic chemistry courses at the University of Michigan and in other universities in chemical hygiene. Previous laboratory curricula lacked in-depth discussions on properlaboratory practices. Through weekly reading assignments, quizzes, colorful posters andother educational materials, the students were exposed to information about chemical safety. Surveys and in-class observations were used to analyze the effectiveness of the newly instituted curriculum. The results from this study indicate that teaching the students and the graduate student instructors chemical hygiene can decrease the overall number of laboratory accidents and increase awareness of chemical safety.

[发布机构] University of Michigan

[效力级别] Boron Heterocycles

[关键词] Polymorphic Structures;Boron Heterocycles;Chemical Hygiene;Chemistry;Science;Chemistry