Toward Qualified Synthetic Chemist. Step 1 : Building and Assessing Basic Skills in Organic Synthesis (Journal Article)

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Abstract: An introductory experimental course to teach and assess basic organic synthesis and identification skills has been designed. The first work of this course, which is based on the well-known hydrazone formation reaction of benzaldehydes with Brady’s reagent, is presented. The designed experiment has many advantages and perfectly matches the goal of teaching rookie chemists. At the same time, the work allows one to fasten such primary laboratory skills as a measurement of the mass of a solid substance; measurement of the volume of a liquid; the use of a laboratory apparatus for filtration under reduced pressure; making calculations of yield neatness and accuracy in doing the work; the ability of students to make and record qualitative observations. Apart from teaching, the work emphasizes the quantitative assessment of students’ skills and the development of a clear and easy-to-use grading scale including all basic quality parameters of a reaction product. Additionally, a comprehensive analysis of how students’ mistakes contribute to the products’ yield and purity as well as the time required for the accomplishment of the experiment was performed. The proper design of the experiment and precise quality control of the product help to answer the question, “What have the students done wrong while performing the work?”.