Alcohols

This module uses simple alcohols as the primary examples to supplement the standard organic topics of physical properties, intramolecular forces, base stability, and an introduction to mechanism arrows. This module is designed to be taught in consecutive class periods of one week early in the Organic I term. Students need to be familiar with basic naming and hybridization. There are three units: 1) intramolecular forces, properties, and alcohol toxicity 2) acidity and the acid-base mechanism, and 3) biofuels: considering a system. These units also serve as a platform to introduce and reinforce the concepts of systems thinking, using Loopy to understand a plastic bag life cycle, a pro/con chart to choose a hand sanitizer, and evaluating biofuels sustainability. Acid/base chemistry is covered in class with a guided learning activity. Green chemistry principles of minimizing hazardous products and wastes are addressed in the properties unit, and awareness of the sustainability of reactants is addressed in the biofuels unit. UNSDG 3: Good health, 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, and 12: Responsible Consumption and Production are addressed throughout.

The GCTLC learning object external link takes you to the ACS GCI website to download the learning materials. Once there, use the Module Overview document to guide you through using these impactful learning materials.

This module was developed by Felicia A. Etzkorn, Jamie L. Ferguson and Maggie B. Bump for the green chemistry educational module project with the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute; Sarah Kennedy and David Laviska reviewed and published the module.