Synthesis and Evaluation of Ammonia Borane: A Modular, Multifaceted Approach Introducing Experimental Design through Guided Inquiry

A practical focusing on the synthesis, isolation, and hydrolysis of ammonia borane (AB), H 3 N·BH 3, was developed for first-year undergraduate students. By requiring students to propose their own experimental setup to measure the amount of gas produced upon hydrolysis, experimental design skills were introduced and developed during the practical. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote and face-to-face versions of the practical were created to enable inclusivity in which experimental design skills were a key feature. Students identified and reported an appreciable increase in their experimental design skills. The multifaceted nature of the practical allows for flexibility in its implementation, dependent on students’ prior knowledge, local logistical considerations, and the learning objectives of an institution.