Project: The Captivating World of Organic Halides

Contextualization

Theoretical Introduction

Organic halides are compounds that are characterized by having one or more halogen atoms (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine) attached to a carbon chain. They are important intermediates in organic reactions and have a range of industrial and commercial applications, from the production of plastics and rubbers to their use as solvents and gasoline.

These compounds are also characterized by interesting chemical behavior due to the halogen atom, which is very electronegative. This means that the bond between carbon and halogen is polar, resulting in a partial negative charge on the halogen and a partial positive charge on the carbon. This "positive" carbon is highly reactive, making organic halides fundamental in the formation of new organic compounds through nucleophilic substitution reactions.

The nomenclature of organic halides is done following the rules of the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry). However, they are also known by common names, where the halogen is placed as a prefix to the name of the hydrocarbon (e.g., methyl chloride).

Contextualization and Relevance

Organic halides are remarkable for their diverse applications and importance in the chemical industry. They are used in a variety of products ranging from medicines to plastics and pesticides. In addition, they are interconnected with environmental issues. For example, some halides, such as CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), were widely used as aerosols and refrigerants, but have been found to destroy the ozone layer in the atmosphere.

The study of organic halides also provides an opportunity to learn and understand nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions, both of which are fundamental in the formation of different organic compounds. This knowledge is valuable not only for those planning to pursue a career in chemistry but also for those with an interest in life sciences, as these processes are essential for many biochemical reactions.

In this sense, deepening the knowledge of organic halides not only allows students to understand an important branch of organic chemistry but also opens up the possibility of more broadly understanding the applications and implications of science in the real world.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: The Captivating World of Organic Halides

Project Objective

To better understand organic halides through a hands-on experience. Students will create an Organic Halides Infobook, a summary in book format, digital content, or presentation, on the subject matter. This Infobook will serve as an educational tool for their fellow students.

Detailed Project Description

Students, divided into groups of 3 to 5, should develop and present an Infobook about Organic Halides. The Infobook should contain the following topics:

1. Introduction to Organic Halides - what they are, types, and nomenclature;
2. Physical and chemical properties of Organic Halides;
3. Reactions involving Organic Halides, such as nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions;
4. Applications of Organic Halides in everyday life - industrial, pharmaceutical, food, etc.;
5. Environmental impact - Explore the case of CFCs and their influence on ozone layer depletion;

In addition, the Infobook should include illustrations and diagrams to facilitate the understanding of the concepts.

Required Materials:

• Books and educational materials on Organic Chemistry;
• Internet access for complementary research;
• Digital tools for creating the infobook (PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, etc.);

Step-by-step Instructions for Completing the Activity:

Step 1:

Students form the groups and decide who will be responsible for each topic of the Infobook.

Step 2:

Each group should begin their research based on the suggested literature and supplementing with other sources if necessary.

Step 3:

With the research underway, the groups should begin to develop the content of the Infobook, taking care to make it didactic and understandable for students who are not yet familiar with the topic. The use of illustrations and diagrams is encouraged.

Step 4:

Once the content is finished, the Infobook should be assembled using the digital tool chosen by the group.

Step 5:

The groups will present their Infobooks to the class. Each member of the group should participate in the presentation, explaining the topic for which they were responsible.

Step 6:

Finally, each group will submit a descriptive report of the work done. The report should contain: introduction (contextualization of the theme, its relevance, and application in the real world as well as the objective of this project), development (the explanation of the activity in detail, the methodology used, and the discussion of the results obtained), conclusion (revisiting its main points, explaining the lessons learned and the conclusions drawn about the project), and the bibliography used.

Project Deliverables

Each group must submit the following:

1. The digital Infobook on Organic Halides.
2. The presentation of the Infobook to the class.
3. The written report.

With the execution of this project, students will be able to practice their technical skills, such as understanding what organic halides are, their properties, and characteristics, in addition to developing their socio-emotional skills, such as time management, communication, problem solving, creative thinking, and proactivity.