Optimizing the Synthesis of Praziquantel Derivatives for Implementation in the Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Faculty Sponsor
Trisha Russell, Whitworth University
Research Project Abstract
An important aspect of scientific education should be to promote independent research ability amongst students. Organic chemistry laboratories can aid in accomplishing this goal by teaching useful techniques and the introduction to analysis of chemical literature. Herein, a simple synthesis and characterization of praziquantel derivatives for use in a second-year undergraduate organic laboratory is described. The nucleophilic acyl substitution presents a well-established reaction connected to the synthesis of praziquantel derivatives, which have been studied as treatments for parasitic worms. This experiment is discovery-based in that it uses multiple acid chlorides requiring the students to identify products unknown to them. Multiple skills are reinforced including acid-base extraction, reaction monitoring by TLC, and characterization of product by IR and NMR spectroscopy.
Session Number
PS1
Location
Graves Gym
Abstract Number
PS1-s
Optimizing the Synthesis of Praziquantel Derivatives for Implementation in the Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Graves Gym
An important aspect of scientific education should be to promote independent research ability amongst students. Organic chemistry laboratories can aid in accomplishing this goal by teaching useful techniques and the introduction to analysis of chemical literature. Herein, a simple synthesis and characterization of praziquantel derivatives for use in a second-year undergraduate organic laboratory is described. The nucleophilic acyl substitution presents a well-established reaction connected to the synthesis of praziquantel derivatives, which have been studied as treatments for parasitic worms. This experiment is discovery-based in that it uses multiple acid chlorides requiring the students to identify products unknown to them. Multiple skills are reinforced including acid-base extraction, reaction monitoring by TLC, and characterization of product by IR and NMR spectroscopy.
