Development of a Collaborative Learning Laboratory Experiment for Organic Chemistry Using the Grignard Reaction

The development and analysis of a guided-inquiry lab experiment using the Grignard reaction is described. This collaborative learning lab better illustrates the scientific method and underscores important differences between organic synthesis envisaged on paper versus successfully carried out in the lab. We undertook to develop three different routes to synthesize a tertiary, asymmetrical alcohol via the Grignard reaction to evaluate the efficiency of each synthetic pathway. Analysis of products was conducted via GC-MS and 1HNMR, along with assessment of reaction times and costs of starting materials. After the initial synthetic work, a lab for OCHEM II students was then developed. Due to COVID-19, we have been unable to run the experiment as a wet lab, but we modified the lab so students could participate in a dry lab version. Evaluation of student responses to the dry lab are also presented herein.