Contextualization and Introduction

Introduction

The field of Organic Chemistry is vast and complex, with numerous organic functions that are an essential part of the composition of many materials, products, and living organisms. One of these organic functions is sulfonated functions, which are characterized by the presence of a sulfur atom in their structure.

In this project, we will explore sulfonated functions, specializing in thiols and thioethers, their properties, nomenclature, and mainly their importance. We emphasize as a key point the evaluation of the benefits and risks of these substances to health and the environment, considering their composition, toxicity, reactivity, and the level of exposure to them.

Contextualization

Sulfonated functions have many real-world applications. For example, thiols are used in rubber production and are an integral part of many neurotransmitters and hormones. Thioethers are used as solvents and in alkylation reactions, as well as being components of many antibiotics.

Therefore, it is important that we are able to identify, name, and understand the properties of these substances, as well as evaluate their benefits and dangers. This will allow us to position ourselves critically and propose individual and collective solutions for their use and responsible disposal.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Exploring Sulfonated Functions: Thiols and Thioethers in Practice"

Project Objective:

The objective of this project is to provide students with a practical and in-depth understanding of sulfonated functions, especially thiols and thioethers, addressing their nomenclature, properties, and importance for health and the environment.

Project Description:

In groups of 3 to 5 students, each team must research sulfonated functions and give a presentation to the other groups. The presentation should include theoretical explanations about sulfonated functions, their properties and nomenclature, as well as a simple and safe experiment that demonstrates one of these properties.

Required Materials:

• Internet access for research;
• Presentation materials (flip chart paper, colored pens, computer with presentation software, etc.);
• Laboratory materials for experiments (depends on the chosen experiment, always ensuring that it is safe and suitable for the school environment).

Step by Step:

1. Research and Study: Each group should start researching sulfonated functions, focusing on thiols and thioethers. The topics to be addressed include: structure, properties, nomenclature, applications, health risks, and environmental risks.

2. Presentation Planning: Based on what they have learned, the group should organize an explanatory presentation. The presentation should be clear and didactic, in order to make the complexity of the topic easy to understand.

3. Experiment Selection: Students should choose an experiment that illustrates one of the properties of sulfonated compounds. The experiment should be simple, safe, and feasible with the available resources. It is important to plan the experiment in detail, including the steps to be followed, the necessary materials, and safety precautions.

4. Presentation Execution: The groups present their findings and perform the chosen experiment for the other groups.

5. Report Writing: After the presentation, each group must write a report. The report should include the introduction (contextualization of the topic, relevance, and application), development (theory, activity details, methodology, and results), conclusions, and bibliography.

In the report, it is important for students to detail the findings of their research, how they organized their presentation, how they chose and conducted their experiment, and what conclusions they drew from the results obtained. The report must be submitted within one week after the presentation.

By the end of the project, students will have deepened their knowledge of sulfonated functions, reinforced their research, presentation, and experimentation skills, as well as developed competencies for critically evaluating the use and disposal of chemical substances.