Contextualization

Aromatic hydrocarbons are a special class of organic compounds with a cyclic structure containing a system of delocalized pi electrons. In other words, these electrons are not restricted to a single double bond but can move throughout the ring. The simplest of them is Benzene, a compound of six carbons with three conjugated double bonds, which was discovered in 1825 by the English chemist Michael Faraday.

The nomenclature of aromatic hydrocarbons is based on the rules of IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry). There are specific rules for naming these compounds, taking into account the number and position of substituents on the aromatic ring. Learning this nomenclature is essential to understand and communicate the structure of these molecules.

Aromatic hydrocarbons play a fundamental role in the production of a variety of chemicals and materials, including medicines, dyes, plastics, and much more. The truth is that the presence of aromatic rings is a common feature in a multitude of compounds that are crucial to our daily lives.

Furthermore, many aromatic compounds are known for their carcinogenic properties, being highly important for the study of health and the environment. Therefore, understanding the nomenclature and structure of these compounds is instrumental both in industry and in research.

To delve deeper into the subject and prepare for the activities, we suggest the following sources of reference:

1. Khan Academy - Aromatic Hydrocarbons

2. Chemistry Manual - Aromatic Hydrocarbons

3. Book: Organic Chemistry - Paula Yurkanis Bruice

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Unraveling Benzene: The Journey of the Aromatic Hydrocarbon"

Project Objective

Through the elaboration and presentation of an infographic, students will investigate and learn about the nomenclature, structure, properties, and applications of aromatic hydrocarbons in industry and research.

Detailed Project Description

Groups must create an educational infographic (a visual representation of information, data, or knowledge) focused on the topic of aromatic hydrocarbons. This infographic should include, but not be limited to:

1. Explanation of the structure and nomenclature of aromatic hydrocarbons.
2. Description of the physical and chemical properties of aromatic hydrocarbons.
3. Presentation of the importance of these compounds in the real world, seeking examples of use in industry and research.

Required Materials

1. Textbooks, magazines, and/or internet access for research.
2. Infographic creation software (there are several free online options such as Canva, Piktochart, etc).
3. Computer or tablet for infographic development.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Divide into groups of 3 to 5 students and appoint a leader to coordinate task distribution and meeting scheduling.

2. Start the research by consulting the suggested materials and other reliable sources to gather information about aromatic hydrocarbons. Focus on understanding the structure of this type of compound, its nomenclature, properties, and applications in different areas.

3. With the collected information, begin creating the infographic. Remember that a good infographic is one that can convey information clearly, concisely, and visually appealing. Therefore, organize the information logically and use images, graphs, and colors to facilitate content understanding.

4. After finishing the work, review the infographic to ensure that the information is correct and clear.

5. Prepare a presentation to explain the infographic to classmates. This presentation should last 10 to 15 minutes, and all group members should participate.

Connection of Activities with Deliverables

After completing the infographic and presentations, each group must present a written report following the following sections:

1. Introduction: Provide context for the theme, its relevance and real-world application, and the objective of this project.

2. Development: Here, detail the theory behind aromatic hydrocarbons, explain the activity in detail, indicate the methodology used, and finally, present and discuss the produced infographic.

3. Conclusions: Summarize your main points, explicitly stating the learnings obtained and the conclusions drawn from the project.

4. Bibliography: Indicate the sources you relied on to work on the project such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

Remember: the main objective is to learn about aromatic hydrocarbons, but also to work as a team, manage time, communicate effectively, and solve problems creatively.