Details

1. Title

Informative title for lab report, your name, lab partner’s name, and section number.

1. Abstract

The abstract is a complete, but concise summary of the research. It is rarely more than one paragraph long. It should include: (1) which experiment was conducted (i.e. Purpose. Why are you conducting?) (2) all numerical results obtained (how much actual pure and crude product obtained in grams, percent yield, and percent error) and (3) a summary of the conclusions made from experiment/numerical results.

III. Introduction

The introduction explains the experiment and the background of the reaction.  State the main purpose of the experiment!  Provide a brief background on the reaction and/or technique.  Explain how the experiment intends to achieve the purpose.  By the end of the introduction, the reader should understand the experiment that “will” be performed and the goals the experiment should achieve.

1. Materials and Methods

Only one paragraph not exceeding 10 lines.

The experimental section provides details on your experimental methods in paragraph form. This section should include all the chemicals and equipment used, how the samples were prepared, and any other sample handling and organic techniques that were used (i.e. vacuum filtration apparatus).

• Analytical procedure (Explain steps that were taken in 3^rd person)

1. Results. 10 pts

Subsection 1: Structures and Reactions

Neatly draw all reactions in the experiment and appropriately label each chemical.  Each chemical must be able to be referenced as a figure.  Mechanisms of reactions should indicate all transition states and electron movement using arrows.  Each mechanism must be comprehensive and legible.

All compounds not present in the reaction but used in the experiment must be drawn, labeled, and referenced by a number. (Again, “Figure X”.)

 Subsection 2: Data               Well-organized experimental data and observations are presented in tabular or figure form. After each table or figure include a summary of the table/figure as well as pertinent trends.  (Graphs are labeled as figures.) Do not offer interpretation of your results until the discussion section. Table 1: Title

Explanation  Subsection 3: Sample Calculations               Every distinct calculation must be shown.  For example, if the number of moles from grams were calculated for 10 different compounds, then show the calculations only once for one of the compounds.  Sample calculations are demonstrated in the following format: Y = 5X + 2  (General format of the equation.)Y = 5(2) + 2  (Variables subbed in.)Y = 12 (Equation solved.)

VI. Discussion:                Your discussion should be focused on your results.  Consider what your data does or does not indicate and make arguments that can be supported by your collected data.   Provide chemical explanations for the results, explain important steps in the procedure that are necessary for completion of the experiment, and write the reaction mechanism out in detail with key terms used in the lecture.  Cite your results specifically when making these arguments.  In short, analyze your data and show critical thinking.  When explaining the reaction mechanism, use professional language and organic chemistry designations.  (For example, the electron does not “go up to the oxygen”.).                 Error analysis is an important part of a comprehensive analysis.  Was there error?  How much and in what direction was the error? What feasibly explains the error? At least two sources of error should be explained and reasonable suggestions for the prevention of these errors should be provided.  All experiments have error that results from transferring compounds from flask to flask as well as measuring error.  While they can be mentioned, they will not count toward this requirement.  Critically analyze the experiment and how it could be made better.

References:

Provide a list of all sources used in your work, and written in ACS style. Use at least two outside sources besides your lab and lecture textbooks. Here is a helpful website: http://library.williams.edu/citing/styles/acs.php#intext

Note: Wikipedia.com and forums like answers.yahoo.com are not valid reference and are edited by the public.

Don’t forget in-text citations.

Additional Files:

ORGANIC-CHEMISTRY-LABORATORY.doc

Synthesis_of_Aspirin_1_LAB_manual_and_data.doc