73007_chem13Masthead_cmyk.qxd:44929_chem13Masthead.qxd 8/12/10 10:21 AM Page 1 73007_chem13Masthead_cmyk.qxd:44929_chem13Masthead.qxd 8/12/10 10:21 AM Page 1 OctoberMay 2013 2012 NumberNumber 399 393 NovemberMay 2013 2012 Number 399 Glowing dyes EDIEDITOR Glowing dyes JJeanean Hein DDepartment epa rtment of Chem Chemistry,istryChemistryChemistry, UnivUniversityersity of ofWa Waterloo,Forcest erloo,in in Pictures WateWaterloo,Picturesrloo of, O Ontario,naturentario winner ,winnerCa Canadanad a N2L N2L 3G1 3G1| |www.chem13newwww.uwaterloo.cas.uw/chem13newsaterloo.ca Mole Day fun EDITORIALEDITORIAL BOARDBOARD Chemistry in Pictures Winner L.J.L.J. BrubacherBrubacher J.M.J.M. Chong M.P.M.P. JansenJansen A.A. R. Ricci S.S. WWililllfafangng PRODUCTIONPRODUCTION KaKathythy JaJacksockson As laboratory partners and classmates, Nicole Zucker and Alison Whitney had the opportunity to explore chemical bonding and intermolecular forces of attraction inside the chemistry classroom. Their photographs "reflect" the beauty of surface tension, spheres, and attractive forces in nature — drop by drop and bubble by bubble. Nicole and Alison are juniors at Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale NY and students of chemistry teacher Elise Hilf Levine and art teacher Dina Hofstetter. We encourage other chemistry teachers to collaborate with their Art Department and send in some engaging chemistry photos. The deadline for this year’s Chemistry in Pictures contest is June 30, 2013. Be on the front cover of Chem 13 News and inspire other teachers with your classroom photos. An almost forgotten simplification in Download iPod, iPad Letter to the editor the detection of amino acids What is in this issue? and Playbook apps ● What to call (CH ) CH(OH)? The November 2012 issue of 3 2 Chem13 News has “isopropanol” listed in the materials for the E. J. Behrman <[email protected]> Remember the Periodic Table Project is a Miniature Whoosh Bottle Demonstration. The question was Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Letter to the editor, page 3 free app for iPod, Playbook and iPad. raised whether this was an appropriate name or whether “2- The Ohio State University, Columbus OH These apps have the basic atomic propanol” or “isopropyl alcohol” would be the better choice. A An almost forgotten simplification in the detection properties for each element along with quick look in the 12th edition of The Merck Index revealed of amino acids, page 3 Abstract: Ninhydrin spraying may be eliminated by the creative student artwork and stories behind “isopropyl alcohol” as a major heading followed by pseudonyms “2- incorporation of ninhydrin into the chromatographic solvent. Fun mole maze, pages 4 and 5 each uniquely designed tile. Search for propanol, isopropanol, secondary propyl alcohol, dimethyl carbinol,” Organic molecules of everyday life: 10. Hexenal, Periodic Table Project or scan the QR and “petrohol.” One can also find “rubbing alcohol” (70% A ninhydrin spray, with or without the addition of 2,4,6- pages 6-7 code to find the apps for these devices. We isopropanol) and “isopropyl alcohol” (91% isopropanol) at local trimethylpyridine [s-collidine]1, is commonly used to detect encourage you to submit an app review on pharmacies. So what should we call this substance? Public enemy number one? pages 7 and 8 amino acids following chromatography on filter paper or on either iTunes or App World. 2 Newly named elements contest, pages 9 – 11 As an instructor, I teach students the IUPAC system of nomenclature various other thin layer media. This exercise is found in both introductory organic chemistry and biochemistry labs.2 It is a What is John Gurdon doing now? pages 9 and 18 because this system allows one to deduce the structural formula of some ominous-looking named substances such as 2,2- good, cheap and colorful way to introduce students to both ChemEd 2013, pages 12 – 14 ChemEd 2013 attendees can visit the dimethyl-3-methylenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptane. I also teach students paper and thin layer chromatography. Students will also be Book review, page 15 Periodic Table Project wall mural common names when appropriate so they are aware that a interested to learn that this ninhydrin chemistry is used by forensic scientists as a sensitive probe for fingerprints — Google A “light-hearted” crostic, pages 16 and 17 substance can go by more than one name. A good example For those who come to Waterloo ON this summer make sure to I use is that acetic acid is the common name for ethanoic acid. It “ninhydrin fingerprints” for many procedures and images. Chem dates, page 18 visit our Periodic Table Project wall mural at the Earth Science is important to make our subject relevant to the students’ everyday 3 Museum at the University of Waterloo. Rogers rediscovered an important simplification based on the lives. In talking about ethanoic acid or acetic acid, I would point out that vinegar is a dilute solution of acetic acid. fact that the reaction of amino acids with ninhydrin is rather slow 4 Publishing Chem 13 News at room temperature. If, therefore, chromatography is carried While I likely would not call it 2-propanol, dimethyl carbinol or out fairly rapidly, the ninhydrin can be incorporated into the chromatographic solvent. This eliminates the extra step of petrohol, the use of isopropanol is acceptable. And actually right spraying, the not inconsiderable cost of the sprayers, and the Chem 13 News is published for teachers by the Department of now there is a bottle labeled — by the manufacturer — as such Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The in my lab. possible hazard of inhalation of the spray. This is a rediscovery editors welcome letters, ideas and articles helpful to other teachers. because Nicholson first reported this idea in 1949.5 According to (For author’s guidelines go to: http://www.uwaterloo.ca/chem13news) Kenneth S. Lyle, Duke University, Durham NC the Web of Knowledge, this paper was cited 8 times in the Opinions expressed are those of our authors. We recommend 1950s but hardly at all thereafter (nor by ref. 3). It is not professional caution in adopting other people’s experiments and Russell wins a “vanishing quicksilver” crostic mentioned in any of the standard books on chromatographic demonstrations. methods that I have looked at (such as reference 2) except for The winner of the book prize for solving the December/January Subscription for 1 year, respectively (nine issues per year), inclusive Hais.6 It is virtuous to honor our forebearers. of HST in Canada: 2013 crostic is Christine Russell from Brock University, St. Catharines ON. Canada — CAN$25.00 References The quote is by Allen Abel in Canadian Geographic Magazine. USA — CANS$27.00 1. a) A.J. Woiwod, Journal of Chromatography, 1960, 3, 278. In the Arctic, when the spring sun rises, compounds of mercury Elsewhere — CAN$36.00 or US$36.00 vanish from the atmosphere. One moment the air is tainted with b) H. Stübchen-Kirchner, Z. Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem, 349, April issue correction mercury, the next it has gone, until it re-appears in the autumn sky. 1049, 1968. Help save money; renew on your own initiative one month before 2. a) I. Smith, Chromatographic and Electrophoretic Techniques, your subscription expires. Expiry date is at top left of address label. — “q” is no longer on periodic table Where it goes during the interim is not known. It is likely that Vol. I, 3rd edition, Chapter 5, Interscience, NY, 1969. Back issues: CAN$5.00 or US$5.00 each. : In the April issue of bromine atoms, produced by the reaction of ozone with sea salt, in Attention chemistry trivia enthusiasts b) M.O. Hurst & D.K. Cobb, Journal of Chemical Education, 67, Mailing address: Chem 13 News, Department of Chemistry, Chem 13 News we said “J” was the only letter of the alphabet sunlight, are responsible for the removal of mercury from the page 978, 1990. University of Waterloo, Waterloo ON N2L 3G1. not on the periodic table. This was true. The letter “q” had atmosphere, but how it gets back in the fall remains a mystery. c) R. Switzer & L. Garrity, Experimental Biochemistry, 3rd edition, Tel: 519-888-4567, ext 32505. Fax: 519-888-9168. appeared only as Uuq (ununquadium) for the element114. In E-mail: [email protected]. A allotropes M autoionization Y hunts the west in pages 111-121, W. H. Freeman, NY, 1999. May 2012, element 114 was named flerovium (Fl) and the winter B laboratory N discharge 3. P.W. Rogers, Journal of Chemical Education, 73, 189, 1996. This issue was prepared by Jean Hein, editor; Kathy Jackson, placeholder (Uuq) was no longer needed — so no more “q”. C Le Chatelier O Inn on the Front Z inky twin sisters production; Lew Brubacher, David Cash, Mike Chong, Jenn 4. a) C.E. Dent, Biochemical Journal, 43, 169, 1948. D ewes P Avogadro’s AA cadmium Coggan, Brian Ellis, Kaitlan Huckabone, Laura Ingram, Susan b) H. Meyer, Biochemical Journal, 67, 333, 1957. E no turkey-trotting Q number BB mercury c) Z. Khan & A.A. Kahn, Journal of the Indian Chemical Society, Kelso, Sue Stathopulos, Kaitlin Town, Stacey Willfang, and Gerry here R griffin CC atom smasher 66, 454 1989. Toogood, proofreading; and Creative Services, University of *Renew now* F absorption spectrum S either DD gaffs the fish 5. D.E. Nicholson, Nature, 1949, 163, 954, 1949. Waterloo. If your subscription expires soon (see top left of your G behemoth T ortho EE alpha tin 6. I.M. Hais, in Paper Chromatography, I.M. Hais & K. Macek, eds., mailing label), please renew on your own initiative. H eke out their life U Graham’s FF zinc **Credit card charges will be in Canadian dollars.