University Chemistry ›› 2026, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (9): 382-391.doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202508095

• Between Teacher and Student • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Application of the analogy method in the teaching of organic chemistry mechanisms: exemplified by carbonyl compounds and carboxylic acid derivatives

Chonghang Sun, Xingfang Zheng, Lin Li, Xiaolei Jiang, Fangdong Hu   

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, Shandong Province, China
  • Received:2025-08-28 Accepted:2025-09-30 Published:2026-09-01
  • Contact: Xiaolei Jiang, Fangdong Hu E-mail:jiangxiaolei@lyu.edu.cn;hufangdong@lyu.edu.cn

Abstract: The analogy method, as an effective pedagogical strategy grounded in cognitive psychology, significantly enhances knowledge comprehension and transfer by establishing connections and drawing comparisons between familiar and unfamiliar concepts. This study implements the analogy method in organic chemistry mechanism instruction, demonstrating its efficacy in helping students construct cognitive bridges between new and prior knowledge, thereby strengthening conceptual understanding and retention. Moreover, this approach effectively cultivates students' knowledge transfer capabilities and problem-solving skills. Focusing on fundamental organic chemistry content, this investigation systematically examines instructional strategies employing the analogy method through three pivotal reaction mechanisms—nucleophilic addition, nucleophilic substitution, and 1,2-rearrangement—using representative carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) and carboxylic acid derivatives as illustrative examples. The findings reveal that this methodology successfully overcomes cognitive obstacles inherent in conventional teaching approaches, substantially enhances students' chemical reasoning abilities and innovative thinking, and offers a novel practical framework for teaching organic reaction mechanisms.

Key words: Analogy method, Aldehydes and ketones, Carboxylic acid derivatives, Nucleophilic addition, Reaction mechanism