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. 2020 Oct 13;97(10):3739-3745.
doi: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00290. Epub 2020 Aug 31.

Multicomponent Reactions: "Kinderleicht"

Constantinos G Neochoritis  1   2 , Tryfon Zarganes-Tzitzikas  1 , Kallia Katsampoxaki-Hodgetts  2 , Alexander Dömling  1
Affiliations

Multicomponent Reactions: "Kinderleicht"

Constantinos G Neochoritis et al. J Chem Educ. .

Abstract

A demonstration experiment of the synthesis of a novel tetrazole derivative via a multicomponent reaction (Ugi tetrazole four component reaction, UT-4CR) bearing a luminol moiety and a subsequent exploitation of its chemiluminescent properties is described. A complex product is generated in just one simple step, so simple that children can do it: "kinderleicht", German for dead easy. Students are stimulated, inspired, and involved in a multilevel active learning process using the Steps to Inquiry framework as a metacognitive tool that raises student awareness regarding scientific process and prompts them to ask their own questions discussing the merits of a mechanism and evaluating its effectiveness before they start their own cycles of inquiry.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Interactive diagram to facilitate our students’ inquiry with defined steps.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Activation of luminol (pale white powder; upper photo) with an oxidizing agent (hydrogen peroxide) in a basic environment in the presence of a catalyst. The excess energy is liberated as a photon that is visible as blue light.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Basic characteristics of modern multicomponent reactions (MCRs).
Figure 4
Figure 4
(A) Tetrazole adduct 5 as gray solid. (B) Solution of compound 5 in MeOH (left), with same solution under UV light at 366 nm (right).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Slow addition of the solution of the hydrogen peroxide to the aqueous basic solution of compound 5. The characteristic blue glow is gradually produced.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Students having fun in the dark while they are learning the basic concepts of chemluminesence through the novel luminol-tetrazole derivative. They are slowly adding the solution of hydrogen peroxide with a Pasteur pipet and observe the phenomenon.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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