Quinone synthesis and a visual introduction to column chromatography : an undergraduate experiment

An introductory normal phase column chromatography experiment is described and evaluated for second year undergraduate chemistry laboratory class. The experiment involves a nucleophilic substitution yielding a crude mixture of reactant and one product, both of which are brightly colored and contrasting, creating a clearly visual separation when purified using column chromatography. A student survey was conducted which showed that 75.4% of students (n = 53, approximately 50% of year group) agreed or strongly agreed that the experiment worked well for them, and 88.7% agreed or strongly agreed that the experiment was enjoyable. Every student was also assessed in the lab on their practical technique, with the year group achieving an average of 72.1% in this assessment