Problem types in synthetic organic chemistry research: Implications for the development of curricular problems for second-year level organic chemistry instruction

Understanding of the nature of science is key to the development of new curricular materials that mirror the practice of science. Three problem types (project level, synthetic planning, and day-to-day) in synthetic organic chemistry emerged during a thematic content analysis of the research experiences of eight practising synthetic organic chemists. Project-level problems include the overarching purpose of synthesizing target molecules. Synthetic planning problems include both the retrosynthetic analysis of target molecules and subsequent development of synthetic pathway proposals. Day-to-day problems include the ‘hurdles’ faced in research laboratories while attempting to realize proposed synthetic pathways. Recommendations are made as to how understanding of the three problem types impact undergraduate-level organic chemistry instruction.