Introduction of Macromolecular Science/Polymeric Materials into the Foundational Course in Organic Chemistry: (ACS Symposium Series)

Currently most undergraduate programs in chemistry provide inadequate training in the area of polymeric materials. This despite the fact that these materials are largely responsible by the quality of life that everyone enjoys and that most chemistry graduates, at whatever level they decide to seek employment, will work in a polymer or a polymer-related area. This situation has been recognized by the ACS Committee on Profesional Training. Current committee guidelines contain the expectation that a treatment of polymeric materials will be a part of all foundational courses in chemistry. This is, perhaps, most readily done for the foundational organic chemistry course. Most commercial polymers commonly used by the consuming public are organic in composition and are formed by simple, easily-understood organic reactions. The preparation of polymeric materials can be used to illustrate many of the fundamental concepts of organic chemistry. Inclusion of some treatment of polymeric materials serves to stimulate student interest and enthusiasm for the course and to emphasize the central role that these materials occupy in their daily lives and the overall well-being of society. This volume, a product of an ACS symposium meeting, discusses these materials based on the most current trends and developments, and shows how these trends can be applied to organic chemistry courses.

Table of Contents:
Preface .............................................................................................................................. ix 1. Integration of Macromolecular/Polymeric Topics Within the Foundational Organic Chemistry Content and the Polymer Education Committee ................ 1 Bob A. Howell, Warren T. Ford, John P. Droske, and Charles E. Carraher, Jr. 2. Incorporation of Polymeric Materials To Enhance Interest and Learning in the Foundational Organic Chemistry Course ..................................................... 13 Bob A. Howell 3. Using Polymer Synthesis, Reactions and Properties as Examples of Concepts in Beginning Organic Chemistry ......................................................... 35 David E. Bergbreiter 4. Extrapolation from Small Molecules to Polymers: A Simple and Effective Way To Promote Interest in Both Organic Chemistry and Polymer Chemistry ................................................................................................................ 53 Eric Bosch 5. Integrating Macromolecules into Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Courses .................................................................................................................... 63 John P. Droske 6. Polymers Offer the Opportunity To Discover Foundational Principles of Organic Chemistry ................................................................................................. 71 Mark M. Green 7. Polymer Concepts Illustrated in the Context of Biopolymers ........................... 85 Daniel L. Baker and Abby L. Parrill 8. Enhancement of the Laboratory Component of the First Course in Organic Chemistry through Incorporation of Polymeric Materials ................................ 95 Bob A. Howell 9. Radical Chain Reactions in Foundational Organic Chemistry ....................... 105 Warren T. Ford 10. Polymer Chemistry in an Undergraduate Curriculum .................................... 113 Sarah L. Goh 11. Use of Historical Events and Personalities To Facilitate the Incorporation of Polymeric Materials into the Beginning Organic Chemistry Course ......... 129 Bob A. Howell 12. Why Should Anyone Want To Teach Polymers in a Chemistry Class? .......... 143 L. H. Sperling 13. Computational Modeling of Anionic Block Copolymerization Kinetics for Organic Chemistry Pedagogy ............................................................................. 149 Carl L. Aronson, Amanda L. Willinger, Sianna E. Bates, and Joshua C. Shahbandeh Editor's Biography ....................................................................................................... 173 Indexes Author Index ................................................................................................................ 177 Subject Index ................................................................................................................ 179

About the Author :
Bob Howell is affiliated with the Department of Chemistry at Central Michigan University.

Review :
This book seeks to address a gap in the teaching of polymer science in undergraduate organic chemistry. In doing so, it provides a useful resource for instructors wishing to reinforce their teaching of concepts in fundamental organic chemistry with material that serves to better engage students in the applied and cross-disciplinary aspects of the subject.