Toward Qualified Synthetic Chemist Step 2: Introduction to Multistep Synthesis Concept

Abstract

We continue to overview our introductory experimental course designed to teach and assess essential practical skills. In the second work, we build on and extend the skills learned in the first step. The main focus of the experiment is the concept of multistep synthesis. In this way, the 2-step synthesis of benzylhydantoin was exploited as a model to acquaint students with some crucial aspects of the topic, including notions of intermediate and total yield and requirements put on intermediate products. The synthesis commenced from readily available l-phenylalanine and allowed students to master essential laboratory skills such as carrying out reactions at elevated temperatures, controlling the temperature mode, and performing thin-layer chromatography. All elements of the experimental procedure have been optimized and analyzed, making it possible to clearly identify some mistakes and deviations from the protocol. In addition to its educational nature, the investigation has dramatically emphasized the elaboration and improvement of a comprehensive math tool for a straightforward grading approach.