Contextualization

Anhydrides are incredibly versatile molecules in Organic Chemistry, often found in a variety of chemicals, from plastics and polymers to solvents and agrochemicals. Therefore, understanding the function of anhydrides is extremely important for any student who truly wants to comprehend the science responsible for much of the world around them.

To understand the chemistry of anhydrides, it is crucial to have a solid understanding of carbon chemistry and functional groups. This project will challenge you to use this knowledge to explore the chemistry of anhydrides in a real-world context.

It is important to remember that anhydrides are common products in the chemical industry and are precursors to many other organic compounds. Therefore, the ability to manipulate and understand the chemistry of anhydrides is a fundamental skill for any chemist.

The fundamental concepts for carrying out this project are: structure and properties of anhydrides, formation reactions, and reactions involving anhydrides. In addition, details about the safety and sustainability of chemical reactions should be considered.

In this project, our goal is to relate the chemistry of anhydrides to their real-world applications, such as the production of pharmaceuticals, plastics, solvents, and various other chemical products.

To make this project more interesting, we will work in groups to conduct an experiment, which will be accompanied by a detailed research on the application of anhydrides in the chemical industry. Each group will be responsible for a different type of application.

I suggest using the following resources to support and deepen your understanding of the topic:

• Book: McMURRY, John. Organic Chemistry. 8th ed. São Paulo: Cengage Learning, 2016.
• Website: Química Master
• Video: Química em Ação by Khan Academy in Portuguese

Practical Activity - "Applications of Anhydrides"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to expand students' understanding of the chemistry of anhydrides and their real-world applications. For this, each group must choose an application of anhydrides in the chemical industry, conduct a detailed research on the production and application of anhydrides in that field, and perform a demonstrative experiment.

Detailed Project Description

Each group will be responsible for a specific application of anhydrides and will:

• Research in detail the production, use, and application of anhydrides in that area. (Ex: How are anhydrides used in the production of plastics?).
• Propose a safe and suitable experiment for the classroom that illustrates the behavior or synthesis of anhydrides.
• Conduct the experiment and document the process and results.
• Analyze the results obtained, correlating them with the theory studied.
• Prepare a final presentation for the class, sharing their findings and what they learned from the experiment and research.

Necessary Materials

The necessary materials will depend on the experiment proposed by the team. They must be safe to handle in the classroom and consistent with the issue the group decided to investigate.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Carrying Out the Activity

1. Group Formation: Form groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Topic Selection: Each group will choose a use or application of anhydrides to research.
3. Research: Students will conduct a comprehensive research on the production, use, and application of anhydrides in the chosen area.
4. Experiment Proposal: The group will then propose a safe and feasible experiment to illustrate a key characteristic or process involved in the use of anhydride in the chosen field.
5. Experiment Execution: Students will conduct the experiment under the supervision of the teacher, documenting the procedure, results, and any observations.
6. Results Analysis: Each group will analyze the compiled data, linking the results to the theories and concepts studied.
7. Preparation of the Presentation: Students will prepare a presentation on the experiment and the conclusions drawn.
8. Final Presentation: Each group will present their findings to the class.

Project Deliverables

• An experiment proposal, detailing the objective, necessary materials, procedure, safety precautions, and expected observations.
• A logbook documenting the experiment, including photos, descriptions, and analysis of the results.
• A final report delivered in presentation format, covering the research conducted, the experiment, and its conclusions. It should include:
  • Introduction: Presentation of the topic and relevance of the chosen application in the real world.
  • Development: Detailing the key theory behind the application of anhydrides, the experiment steps, the methodology used, and the results obtained.
  • Conclusion: Reflections on the experimental results and their correlation with the theory, insights gained, and an overview of the conclusions drawn from the project.
  • Bibliography: List of consulted sources.