The Dibenzalacetone Reaction Revisited

Abstract

A modification of a classic experiment is described that incorporates a discovery approach to organic synthesis. Groups of students are assigned target molecules of the dibenzalketone type and are given a sample procedure for the parent dibenzalacetone reaction. They are asked to design a synthesis of their target based on the model reaction and to modify the model reaction so it will work for their synthesis. They show they have synthesized the target with 1H NMR.