Using Molecular Modeling to Enhance Visualization in the Organic Chemistry Classroom

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 1 Issue 6 (1997), S1430-4171(97)06074-3

Using Molecular Modeling to Enhance Visualization in the Organic Chemistry Classroom

Janet E. Nelson,*¹ Stewart A. Williamson,¹ and L. Kraig Steffen²

¹Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753 and ²Department of Chemistry, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT 06430

Published online: 27 February 1997

Abstract. Organic reaction animations that include color and motion can supplement the use of traditional model kits to visualize molecules. Stereochemistry, Newman projections, steric interactions, and many other three-dimensional features can be easily seen with these animations. Computer-generated images and animations can go beyond simply reproducing "chalkboard" drawings or hand-held models. More abstract concepts, including electron density, molecular orbitals, and the mapping of properties such as electrostatic potentials onto an electron-density surface are easily visualized and interpreted using molecular modeling. QuickTime animations of molecules and reactions are easy to generate from the graphical output of molecular modeling packages. This paper describes the use and preparation of these classroom visual aids, and provides nine QuickTime movies as examples.

Key Words: In the Classroom; molecular modeling, organic chemistry

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: jnelson@midd-unix.middlebury.edu)

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