Utilizing Smart Devices as Eductional Tools to Study First Order Substitution Reactions of tert -butyl Halides in the Classroom Setting

The use of tablets and smart phone devices was incorporated into the organic chemistry lecture as a tool to engage students and extend learning beyond the classroom. Students were asked to video a demonstration in class studying the effects of chlorine and bromine leaving groups in the reaction of tert-butyl halides with water. This classic demonstration required only five minutes of lecture time and their recorded videos were used to derive the apparent rates of each reaction in a project outside of class.