An Undergraduate Project “For all Seasons”: The pH-Independent Hydrolysis of bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) Carbonate in Aqueous Solvents

We present an interdisciplinary project (physical- and organic chemistry/spectroscopy) on the kinetics of the pH-independent hydrolysis of bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) carbonate in mixtures of water and acetonitrile or dimethoxyethane. In order to increase the students' interest in the project, we used the following constructivist teaching approach: we stated the problem (studying the kinetics of ester hydrolysis), and then challenged the students to define an experimental protocol. The students did the experiment and presented their data, namely the dependence of rate constants and activation parameters on water concentration and temperature. We then linked theory to experiment by discussing the mechanistic use of isosbestic points and activation parameters; the determination of the partial kinetic orders with respect to the reactants (ester and water), and emphasized the question of obtaining quality kinetics data. We suggest this project for science students in general, because the experiment is safe, low-cost, and can be used to teach theory.