Organic chemistry students’ use of stability in mental models on acid and base strength†

The Brønsted–Lowry acid–base model is fundamental when discussing acid and base strength in organic chemistry as many of the reactions include a competing proton transfer reaction. This model requires evaluating chemical stability via a consideration of electronic granularity. The purpose of this study is to identify students’ mental models on acid and base strength in terms of granularity and stability. Fourteen students enrolled in organic chemistry participated in this case study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews including total case comparison tasks on stability, acidity, and basicity. Analysis of data revealed that there were four groups of students differentiated by their reasoning: (1) acid and base strength through structure without association to stability, (2) acid and base strength through electronics without association to stability, (3) acid strength associated with electronically centered stability, and (4) acid and base strength associated with electronically centered stability. This characterization can support teaching and research to promote reasoning that leads to a more consistent mental model across acid and base strength.