University Chemistry ›› 2025, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (11): 310-317.doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202503078

• Chemistry Laboratory • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Empowering the Digital Transformation of Organic Chemistry Experiments with Sensing Technology: A Case of Atmospheric Distillation, Vacuum Distillation and Fractionation

Yunying Wu1, Zhilan Mo1, Xue Zhou1, Yu Yuan1, Yunfei Ma1, Jing Chen1, Gang Tang2   

  1. 1 College of Chemistry Biology and Environment, Yuxi Normal University, Yuxi 653100, Yunnan Province, China;
    2 College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
  • Received:2025-03-20 Accepted:2025-06-26 Published:2025-11-21
  • Contact: Gang Tang E-mail:tangganghappy@163.com

Abstract: Compared with the experiments in existing textbooks, digital experiments are characterized by a high degree of comprehensiveness, innovativeness, and intuitiveness. This paper incorporates digital sensing technology into the basic operations of organic chemistry experiments. By means of temperature sensors and pressure sensors, explorations on the improvement and innovation of atmospheric distillation, vacuum distillation, and fractional distillation experiments are carried out. The research findings indicate that by optimizing the experimental setup with temperature sensors and pressure sensors, it is feasible to monitor in real - time the variations in temperature and pressure during fundamental operation processes such as atmospheric distillation, vacuum distillation, and fractional distillation. Moreover, the time - temperature curves and time - pressure curves can be automatically collected and recorded. This integration initiative has realized the digital transformation of organic chemistry experiments, enhanced the depth and breadth of students’ learning, and is worthy of being promoted and implemented in undergraduate organic chemistry experimental teaching.

Key words: Temperature sensor, Pressure sensor, Basic operation, Experimental improvement, Curve