Introduction of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) to Enhance the Chemistry Curriculum

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This project has been designed to significantly improve the chemistry curriculum at Snow College in both the classroom and the laboratory. The project provides students with hands-on experience with a state-of-the-art Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The FTIR instrumentation and associated software also provide students with an introduction to computer-assisted data collection and manipulation and spectral database searching. The spectral database is also used in the classroom to better teach the relationship between structure and spectral characteristics. This instrumentation allows Organic Chemistry students to identify unknowns, follow reaction progress, identify products, and help establish purity of synthesized compounds. Freshman Chemistry students use the instrument to identify functional groups and common polymers in their laboratory introduction to Organic Chemistry. The instrument and associated software are also used to develop scientific interest and curiosity in Introductory Chemistry students and outstanding high school students and teachers in the area. The institution contributed to the project in an amount equal to the NSF funds.