University Chemistry ›› 2023, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (9): 179-187.doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202210105

• Chemistry Laboratory • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A Computational Chemistry Experiment on the Reaction Mechanisms of Intra- and Intermolecular Ethanol Dehydration

Xiaowa Nie(), Wenchao Yang, Xinwen Guo   

  • Received:2022-10-31 Accepted:2022-12-09 Published:2023-09-21
  • Contact: Xiaowa Nie E-mail:niexiaowa@dlut.edu.cn

Abstract:

We introduce an exploratory computational chemistry experiment for senior undergraduate students. By studying the reaction mechanisms of intra- and intermolecular ethanol dehydration, students can understand the role of acid catalysts in alcohol dehydration reactions and the energy pathways at the molecular level. Through this experiment, students can develop expertise in Gaussian and GaussView, which are the general computing software of computational chemistry. Moreover, students can independently conduct structural optimization, frequency calculations, transition state searches, and other basic calculation operations. This experiment enables students to apply quantum chemical calculation methods when studying the general processes of different chemical reactions, thereby laying an important foundation for their future research.

Key words: Computational chemistry experiment, Reaction mechanism, Catalyst, Energy pathway