Contextualization

Aromatic hydrocarbons are a group of organic compounds that have benzene rings in their structures. They are called 'aromatics' due to the strong and pleasant odor that many of them possess. Benzene, the simplest aromatic hydrocarbon, is a flat, cyclic molecule of six carbon atoms saturated with hydrogen. This is the prototypical aromatic, and often used as a reference for others.

The importance of aromatic hydrocarbons is immense. They are used in the production of various products in our daily lives, including fuels, plastics, dyes, detergents, medications, adhesives, among others. However, many are known for their harmful effects on health and the environment, such as air and water pollution. Therefore, great care must be taken when working with these compounds.

Introduction

Our world is built on chemistry, and aromatic hydrocarbons play a significant role in this construction. Therefore, it is essential to understand their structure, properties, and nomenclature. Nomenclature, in particular, is extremely important as it allows scientists to communicate information about chemical compounds precisely and unambiguously.

In this project, we will work on the nomenclature of aromatic hydrocarbons, with an emphasis on understanding why they are named the way they are, and how you can identify an aromatic hydrocarbon just by its name. I am sure you will be surprised at how easy (and maybe even fun) it can be to learn the nomenclature of chemical compounds!

Practical Activity - 'Aromatics Around the World'

Project Objective

The objective of this project is for students to research and report on aromatic hydrocarbons present in popular consumer goods in different parts of the world. This will allow students to see how the nomenclature of aromatic hydrocarbons applies to the real world and at the same time, they will enhance their research skills, teamwork, time management, and communication.

Project Description

Each group of 3 to 5 students will be assigned a continent. They will need to research popular consumer goods on that continent that contain aromatic hydrocarbons in their composition and describe their uses, as well as discuss the nomenclature of the aromatic hydrocarbons found. The students will then prepare a presentation to share their findings with the class. They will also need to write a detailed report documenting their research process and conclusions.

Required Materials

1. Internet access for research.
2. Organic chemistry books and/or access to online resources, such as Khan Academy and other educational platforms.
3. Presentation program (PowerPoint, Google Slides, or similar).
4. Writing program (Word, Google Docs, or similar).

Step by Step

1. Divide the research topics among group members, taking into account the balance of work and each one's skills.
2. Research in organic chemistry books, online educational resources, and other reliable materials to understand the nomenclature of aromatic hydrocarbons.
3. Locate popular products on the assigned continent that have aromatic hydrocarbons in their composition. Cleaning products, food, medications, cosmetics, among others, can be considered.
4. For each selected product, research the chemical composition and identify at least one aromatic hydrocarbon present. Describe the nomenclature of this aromatic hydrocarbon.
5. After collecting all the information, start preparing your presentation. The presentation should include the product name, a brief description, the name of the aromatic hydrocarbon present in the composition, and a detailed description of the nomenclature of this aromatic hydrocarbon.
6. Alongside the presentation, write a detailed report describing your findings. The report should include the four main topics: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography used.
7. Review the presentation and report as a group before the due date. Make sure all work is complete, accurate, and well presented.

This project should take approximately 5 to 10 hours to complete per student and should be delivered after one month.

Project Deliverables

1. A presentation containing the research findings. The presentation should be clear, interesting, and informative.
2. A detailed report describing the research and its findings. The report should include an Introduction (contextualizing the theme, relevance, application, and project objective), Development (main theory, methodology, detailed activities, and results), Conclusion (learnings, conclusions about the project), and Bibliography (sources used).
3. Students should be prepared to discuss and answer questions about their research and presentation.

Through this project, students will not only gain a deeper understanding of the nomenclature of aromatic hydrocarbons, but will also improve their socio-emotional skills, such as communication, time management, critical thinking, proactivity, among others.