Books,Gold, and Elixir: Alchemy and Religious Orders in Early Modern Naples

In the early modern period Naples was a European centre of learning where a number of scholars engaged with alchemy. Variously perceived as a legitimate scientific practice or as a mendacious trick for gullible minds, alchemy engaged Neapolitan scholars in an ongoing dispute that involved members of the clergy. In this article I consider convents as research centres mainly engaged with medical alchemy. Specifically, I reconstruct the activity of the Dominican friar Tommaso d’Eremita. Upon his arrival at the Neapolitan convent of Santa Caterina a Formello in 1609, d’Eremita set up a laboratory where he spent years working on alchemical procedures in order to produce an elixir of life for the benefit of all. Beyond this charitable mission, I argue that members of religious orders in Naples engaged with alchemy for different purposes. In so doing, I discuss the cases of some members of religious orders in Naples who practised chrysopoeia with the aim of producing artificial noble metals.     

A New Laboratory Experiment Based on a Chemical Transformation of Santonin: Synthesis of Santonic Acid

In this paper we describe a new comprehensive laboratory experiment based on a chemical transformation of santonin. The experiment is designed as a puzzle-solving exercise for advanced undergraduate organic chemistry courses and consists of the structure elucidation of santonic acid, the product obtained by the action of strong alkalis on santonin. An enquiry-based approach helps the students achieve this goal by combining their knowledge of organic chemistry and spectroscopy together with mechanistic thinking.     

有机分子荧光光谱中的AIE和ACQ现象

基础化学实验室主要开设基础类、大面积通识课程,开课对象以非化学专业、低年级本科生为主。基础化学实验室在实践教学活动过程中往往涉及危险化学试剂以及高温、高压等危险操作,加之新形势下大类招生不断扩大,基础类课程教学任务与日俱增,基础化学实验室的安全运行管理面临的挑战更加严峻。以西安交通大学基础化学实验室为例,介绍了我校基础化学实验室现状及在安全运行与管理方面存在的问题和解决对策,为同类型化学实验室的安全运行与管理提供借鉴与参考。     

Cellulose: a random walk along its historical path

Cellulose as a material has been widely used for centuries in all kinds of practical applications. However, its chemical composition, structure and morphology were also unknown for centuries. The modern history of cellulose chemistry actually began in 1837 when Anselme Payen chemically identified cellulose from plants. Since then, the establishment of its chemical and physical structures has undergone multitudinous periods of struggle. Until the early 1920s, many scientists believed that cellulose was made up of a few small molecules of glucose or cellobiose. Very few scientists accepted the premiss that it was a polymer. The controversial debates were continued for over ten years. Eventually, substantial experimental data provided proof that cellulose is a covalently linked, high-molecular-weight macromolecule. This fact also provided the foundation for the establishment of polymer science. Some of the historical development of chemistry and structures are briefly reviewed, and recent approaches to studying cellulose structures with new instrumentation are discussed.     

Bioorthogonal organic chemistry in living cells: novel strategies for labeling biomolecules

The chemical labeling of biomolecules continues to be an important tool for the study of their function and cellular fate. Attention is increasingly focused on labeling of biomolecules in living cells, since cell lysis introduces many artefacts. In addition, with the advances in biocompatible synthetic organic chemistry, a whole new field of opportunity has opened up, affording high diversity in the nature of the label as well as a choice of ligation reactions. In recent years, several different two-step labeling strategies have emerged. These rely on the introduction of a bioorthogonal attachment site into a biomolecule, then ligation of a reporter molecule to this site using bioorthogonal organic chemistry. This Perspective focuses on these techniques, their implications and future directions.     

化学分析实验课程全英文教学方法研究

化学分析实验是分析化学教学的重要组成内容,是实践分析化学"量"的概念的重要途径。本文探讨了国际化合作办学背景下化学分析实验课程的全英文教学模式与方法,总结了化学分析实验(全英)课程建设过程的经验与不足,展望了化学分析实验全英文教学的前景。     

浅析化学生物学实验课程的有效教学方法

作为高年级化学专业本科生的综合性实验课程,化学生物学实验课为学生提供了拓宽知识体系及培养相关实验技术能力的平台。本文主要介绍了笔者在改进实验课教学过程中所做的尝试,包括设置"实验考查点"以提高实验效率,通过"翻转课堂"形式引入改进内容以及根据教材合理拓宽实验内容等。多种方式的综合应用有助于教与学的互动,更适应实验课程交叉性和不断发展的需要。     

The Astrochemical Observatory: Molecules in the Laboratory and in the Cosmos

Astrochemistry is a discipline consolidated recently, although its roots extend back to the dawn of early civilization with the observation and mapping of the sky. The way to the understanding of the common natural laws on earth and in space paved by Galilei's observations by the telescope, has been extended in the last decades, by new technologies such as radioastronomy and space missions. Plenty of new chemistry was surprisingly discovered. Extreme rich information on the chemical “composition” of the universe is being obtained, either from the other planets and satellites in the Solar System, from meteorites and comets, or from the interstellar space. In this article we will present selected topics regarding the chemical structures and reactions being discovered. Particular attention will be devoted to aspects considered as relevant for the prebiotic processes on earth, such as those involving chirality and its role played in the origin and evolution of life.     

Robert Hare's Theory of Galvanism: A Study of Heat and Electricity in Early Nineteenth-Century American Chemistry

As a professor of chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania, Robert Hare actively shaped early American science. He participated in a large network of scholars, including Joseph Henry, François Arago, and Jacob Berzelius, and experimented with and wrote extensively about electricity and its associated chemical and thermal phenomena. In the early nineteenth century, prominent chemists such as Berzelius and Humphry Davy proclaimed that a revolution had occurred in chemistry through electrical research. Examining Robert Hare’s contributions to this discourse, this paper analyzes how Hare’s study of electricity and the caloric theory of heat led him to propose a new theory of galvanism. It also examines the reception of Hare’s work in America and Great Britain, highlighting the contributions of early American chemists to the development of electrochemistry.     

A Web-Based Molecular-Level Inquiry Laboratory Activity

This paper presents a new computer-based atomic level simulation of an ideal gas. The simulation is written in Java and is accessed by students through a Web browser. This software is used in conjunction with a written laboratory experiment developed within the framework of an inquiry instructional strategy. This molecular-level laboratory experiment is used in combination with a parallel macroscopic laboratory experiment. We hypothesize that students exposed to these kinds of parallel activities will be better able to link the macroscopic, microscopic, and symbolic understanding of chemical concepts.Presented at the ACS Division of Chemical Education sponsored symposium on web-assisted learning in chemistry at its 221st national meeting in San Diego, CA April 1–5, 2001.     

胶体与界面化学的研究进展

胶体与界面化学是研究胶体分散体系和界面现象的一门科学,在能源、材料、生物、化学制造和环境科学等领域具有广泛的应用。近年来,由于先进功能材料、仿生学和生物医药等学科的迅速发展,在纳米尺寸(胶体)的范围内进行分子组装和材料的制备已经引起了人们的高度关注。过去两年里,中国胶体与界面化学领域的科学家的创新性研究工作层出不穷,国际影响力日益提升,所获得的研究成果越来越受到国际同行的关注。这些成果可概括为:(1)系列新型有序分子组合体的构建及其在生物医药领域的应用,尤其是超分子组装、表面图案化有序组装材料的设计和应用;(2)胶体与界面化学方法在微纳米功能材料合成中的应用,包括形貌可控的无机材料、有机-无机复合功能材料、贵金属纳米材料以及小分子凝胶的合成及其应用;(3)胶体与界面化学在生物传感领域的新应用;(4)胶体与界面化学研究新方法。作为一门与实际应用密切结合的学科,现代经济社会为胶体与界面化学的发展提供了广阔的空间。可以预期,未来胶体与界面化学将更注重其基本的物理化学问题,如:新颖有序分子组合体的构建和理论认识;功能性微纳米材料界面结构与性能调控的理论指导。此外,新的手段和方法在胶体与界面体系的不断渗透,将不断产生新的学科交叉点,从而有力地促进胶体与界面化学的学科发展。共引用参考文献96篇。     

An integrated analytical approach for characterizing an organic residue from an archaeological glass bottle recovered in Pompeii (Naples, Italy)

Within the framework of an Italian research project aimed at studying organic residues found in archaeological objects from the Roman period, the chemical composition of the contents of several glass vessels recovered from archaeological sites from the Vesuvian area (Naples, Italy) was investigated. In particular, this paper deals with the study of an organic material found in a glass bottle from the archaeological site of Pompeii using a multi-analytical approach, including FT-IR, direct exposure mass spectrometry (DE-MS) and GC-MS techniques. The overall results suggest the occurrence of a lipid material of vegetable origin. The hypothesis that the native lipid material had been subjected to a chemical transformation procedure before being used is presented and discussed.     

基础化学综合实验中学生“自主设计”的教学实践

在基础化学综合实验中,教师只提出主要原料和欲制备的产品大类,学生通过查找资料自主设计,用不同的方法、途径制备出所要求产品,并分析几种方法在操作过程、经济及环保等方面各自的优缺点,从而达到培养学生自主创新能力的目的.     

Computer-Assisted Solution of Chemical Problems—The Historical Development and the Present State of the Art of a New Discipline of Chemistry

The topic of this article is the development and the present state of the art of computer chemistry, the computer-assisted solution of chemical problems. Initially the problems in computer chemistry were confined to structure elucidation on the basis of spectroscopic data, then programs for synthesis design based on libraries of reaction data for relatively narrow classes of target compounds were developed, and now computer programs for the solution of a great variety of chemical problems are available or are under development. Previously it was an achievement when any solution of a chemical problem could be generated by computer assistance. Today, the main task is the efficient, transparent, and non-arbitrary selection of meaningful results from the immense set of potential solutions—that also may contain innovative proposals. Chemistry has two aspects, constitutional chemistry and stereochemistry, which are interrelated, but still require different approaches. As a result, about twenty years ago, an algebraic model of the logical structure of chemistry was presented that consisted of two parts: the constitution-oriented algebra of be- and r-matrices, and the theory of the stereochemistry of the chemical identity group. New chemical definitions, concepts, and perspectives are characteristic of this logic-oriented model, as well as the direct mathematical representation of chemical processes. This model enables the implementation of formal reaction generators that can produce conceivable solutions to chemical problems—including unprecedented solutions—without detailed empirical chemical information. New formal selection procedures for computer-generated chemical information are also possible through the above model. It is expedient to combine these with interactive methods of selection. In this review, the Munich project is presented and discussed in detail. It encompasses the further development and implementation of the mathematical model of the logical structure of chemistry as well as the experimental verification of the computer-generated results. The article concludes with a review of new reactions, reagents, and reaction mechanisms that have been found with the PC-programs IGOR and RAIN.     

高校无机化学实验室资源合理配置的探索与实践

实验教学是高校人才培养、科学研究和学科建设的重要环节,实验室作为实验教学的场所,资源优化配置至关重要。本文分析了天津大学无机化学实验室在资源配置上存在的问题和相关的解决措施,如开设化学类通识实验课程,使授课学生不局限于化学类;使用研究生助教和学生志愿者,减轻实验员工作量;开放实验室设备资源;举办化学化工技能大赛等。以期为其他高校实验室的资源合理配置提供借鉴和参考。     

"鸡尾酒"实验——无机元素化学实验中美育迁移作用的探索

以“美育”内涵中“培养发现美的能力”为契合点,借助大一新生在无机元素化学实验中发现美时获取的成就感,引导学生在追求“美丽”实验结果的过程中,自发地对基本操作进行训练和提高,由此发挥美育在无机化学实验教学过程中的迁移作用。以钴离子形成多色配合物为“点”,带动学生持续发现实验中更多的“美”,逐步培养细心、耐心和恒心的素养。同时,在新高考、新生源背景下,注重大一新生化学学习兴趣的提高,将直接影响到其对专业的认知及职业的认同,因而其积极作用是不容忽视且意义深远的。     

新媒体时代下化学实验教学与实验室管理探索

当今新媒体时代下,二维码和公众号技术虽然已经普遍成熟,但是其在化学实验教学和实验室管理方面的深层次应用尚处于探索阶段。本文结合目前高校实验教学特点,分析探索了二维码和公众号技术在化学实验教学和管理中的应用以及存在的问题。从学生和教师两方面出发,在同为辅助工具的基础上两者联用不仅促进了实验教学平台整体的运行效率和管理水平,而且在充分发挥教师主导作用的同时调动了学生的主观能动性,学习效果及实际教学效果亦日渐显著,为国内化学实验教学改革提供了帮助。     

实验室废水污染防治措施——以含铜实验废液应用于综合创新实验研究为例

将基础实验室含铜废液的处理、回收及检测创新性地设计为大型综合性实验课题,增加了学生理论与实际相结合的能力,培养了学生的环保意识;同时进行教学反思,对如何减少实验室废液提出了可行性建议,以期加强高校化学实验室的废液污染控制;借此推动化学实验课程的教学改革,保护环境.     

A Colorful Investigation of a Diprotic Acid: A General Chemistry Laboratory Exercise

A general chemistry laboratory experiment that can be completed in a single laboratory period is described that familiarizes students with the acid—base chemistry of a diprotic acid and with the use of visible spectroscopy to determine species concentrations. This experiment is a modified version of a previously described laboratory exercise developed for an upper-division quantitative analysis course. Students work in teams and as a class to generate different ionization states of various highly absorbing dyes. Both spectroscopic and potentiometric (pH) data is collected using LabWorks II stations, but other inexpensive pH meters and visible spectrometers (e.g., Spec 20s) are suitable. A spreadsheet template is used to determine the percent composition of various ionization states of a diprotic acid and to determine the pK_a values. Besides introducing students to fundamental tools and key chemical concepts, this laboratory is also inexpensive to operate and utilizes nontoxic, colorful solutions.     

The atomic number revolution in chemistry: a Kuhnian analysis

This paper argues that the field of chemistry underwent a significant change of theory in the early twentieth century, when atomic number replaced atomic weight as the principle for ordering and identifying the chemical elements. It is a classic case of a Kuhnian revolution. In the process of addressing anomalies, chemists who were trained to see elements as defined by their atomic weight discovered that their theoretical assumptions were impediments to understanding the chemical world. The only way to normalize the anomalies was to introduce new concepts, and a new conceptual understanding of what it is to be an element. In the process of making these changes, a new scientific lexicon emerged, one that took atomic number to be the defining feature of a chemical element.