Contextualization

The world around us is made up of an infinite number of chemical compounds, whether organic or inorganic. Within the organic chemistry field, we have a very interesting and important class of compounds, the aromatics. Aromatic compounds, also known as arenes, are a class of hydrocarbons (compounds formed exclusively by carbon and hydrogen) which are characterized by having carbon rings in their structure with delocalized pi electrons. This delocalization of electrons results in stability that is characteristic of these compounds.

The concept of aromaticity was introduced by August Kekule when he proposed the structure of benzene. This class of compounds was initially associated with compounds that had pleasant aromas, hence the name "aromatic". However, with the development of organic chemistry and the discovery of new compounds, it became clear that aromaticity is not necessarily associated with an aroma. Instead, it is a very specific structural property, based on well-defined rules, the main one being Huckel's rule.

The importance of aromatic compounds in our daily lives is huge. They are found in a variety of highly relevant natural and synthetic substances. For example, many medicines, dyes, plastics, fuel additives and other industrial chemicals have aromatic rings in their structures. Besides, they are also fundamental components of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), which are the building blocks of life.

To help you understand this fascinating world os aromatic compounds, we recommend the following resources:

1. Book: "Organic Chemistry" by Paula Yurkanis Bruice.
2. Chemistry Portal.
3. Khan Academy for explanatory videos.

Practical Activity

Activity Title:

Deciphering the World of Aromatic Compounds: An Exploration through Experimentation and Art

Project Objective:

1. To promote student understanding of aromatic compounds, their properties and associated chemical reactions.
2. To develop practical skills in handling laboratory instruments and reagents.
3. To stimulate creativity through a playful and artistic exploration of the theme.
4. To develop teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills.

Detailed project description:

The project must be carried out in groups of 3 to 5 people and has an estimated total execution time of at least 15 hours.

The practical activity will be divided into two main parts: experimentation in the laboratory and production of a creative video for sharing learning.

Part 1: Experimentation in the laboratory

This stage involves practical laboratory experiments where students will handle, observe, and collect data from aromatic compounds and their reactions. Experiments will focus on four main topics:

1. Recognition and differentiation of aromatic and non-aromatic compounds.
2. Application and comprehension of Huckel's rule.
3. Observation of physical properties of aromatic compounds, such as solubility, boiling point, and fusion.
4. Execution of chemical reactions involving aromatic compounds (to be selected according to the availability of reagents and safety).

Part 2: Production of a creative video

Students will produce a 5 to 10-minute video, combining Communication and Arts with Chemistry concepts. The video must clearly and attractively explain the concepts discovered in the experimental part and can be made in different formats: dramatization, documentary, animation, among others.

Required materials:

1. Aromatic compounds (benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, etc.).
2. Other chemical substances necessary for performing the proposed chemical reactions.
3. Laboratory equipment (test tubes, beakers, thermometers, etc.).
4. Personal protective equipment (lab coats, safety glasses, gloves).
5. Camera or smartphone for recording the video.
6. Video editing software (available free online).

Detailed step-by-step instructions for carrying out the activity:

1. Prior study on aromatic compounds (using the recommended resources).
2. Experiment planning, based on the four proposed topics.
3. Execution of experiments in the laboratory, with data collection and analysis.
4. Discussion of results obtained and theory involved.
5. Video planning, including script, format selection, and task division.
6. Video recording and editing.
7. Writing of the report, containing: Introduction, Development (methodology, presentation of results and discussion), Conclusion and Bibliography.

Project Deliverables:

1. Written report, addressing all requested points.
2. Video, with public access on a video-sharing platform, such as YouTube.
3. Oral presentation of the project to the class, including a debate on the procedures and results obtained.

Remember that writing the report is as important as experimentation. It is the document that will record not only the results obtained, but also the reflection that these results have elicited in each group member. Highlight the difficulties encountered during the project and how they were overcome, the most significant learning for each one, and what you would do differently if you had to redo the project.