Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Organic Functions: Amine Nomenclature

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is essential to direct the focus of students and the teacher on what will be learned and practiced during the class. In this context, clarity of objectives helps align expectations and ensures that all participants are oriented toward the same educational goal. By establishing well-defined objectives, the learning process and assessment of students' understanding of the topic of amines and their nomenclature are facilitated.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to correctly name amines using IUPAC nomenclature, distinguishing them from other organic compounds.

2. Develop the ability to recognize and classify amines into their different classes, applying knowledge of molecular structure to determine the appropriate nomenclature.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage logical reasoning and the application of chemical rules in solving nomenclature problems.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction stage aims to engage students with content they studied previously at home, using problem situations that stimulate the practical application of knowledge. Additionally, by contextualizing the importance of amines in real life, students’ interest is awakened, and the applicability of the studied concepts is demonstrated, laying the groundwork for more meaningful learning connected to the outside world.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are a scientist who has discovered a new organic substance. Upon analyzing its structure, you identified that it contains an amino group. How would you name this substance using IUPAC nomenclature for amines?

2. A pharmaceutical company is developing a new medication that has an amine in its composition. What is the importance of correctly naming the substance to ensure its identification and safety in clinical use?

Contextualization

Amines are essential organic compounds in various fields, from molecular biology, where they are critical components of proteins and neurotransmitters, to more practical applications such as in the dye and pharmaceutical industries. Moreover, understanding the correct nomenclature of amines is crucial, as errors in the identification of compounds can have serious consequences, both in terms of safety and efficacy, as in the example of medications. Interestingly, the history of organic chemistry is full of challenges and discoveries related to these compounds, highlighting their importance and relevance in the scientific and industrial world.

Development

Duration: (65 - 75 minutes)

The Development section is designed to allow students to practically and interactively apply the knowledge acquired about amine nomenclature. Through playful and challenging activities, they will be encouraged to think critically and creatively, consolidating their understanding and developing problem-solving skills. This stage is crucial for content retention and ensuring that students can transfer what they have learned to real and theoretical situations.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Decoding the Amines

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply knowledge of amine nomenclature in a practical context, developing analysis and problem-solving skills.

- Description: In this activity, students will be challenged to solve a puzzle involving the identification and correct nomenclature of amines. Four unknown compounds will be presented, each with a molecular structure and some contextual clues. Students' task will be to use their prior knowledge of amines and IUPAC nomenclature to decipher the name of each compound.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute a set of cards, each containing the molecular structure of a compound and a small contextual hint.

• Students should use their prior knowledge to correctly name each compound.

• Each group will present their answers and justify their choice of names based on the structure and contextual hints.

• Conduct a general discussion to compare the groups' answers and clarify any doubts regarding nomenclature.

Activity 2 - Amines in the Real World: A Comparative Analysis

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand the practical application of amine nomenclature and its importance in everyday life.

- Description: Students will analyze and compare the nomenclature of amines present in different everyday products, such as medications, dyes, and food. Using real product packaging and labels, they will identify the present amines, name them correctly, and discuss the importance of precise nomenclature.

- Instructions:

• Arrange the room in stations, each with different types of products containing amines (medications, food, dyes).

• Students, in groups, will visit each station to identify and name the present amines while using available labels and information.

• Each group will record their findings and prepare a brief presentation about the importance of correct amine nomenclature in the chosen products.

• At the end, each group will present their findings and discuss with the class.

• Conclude with a joint reflection on how correct nomenclature can impact the safety and efficacy of products.

Activity 3 - Nomenclature Olympics: Amines Challenge

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Reinforce knowledge of amine nomenclature dynamically and competitively.

- Description: Transform the classroom into a competition arena, where each group of students will participate in a series of fast-paced, practical challenges related to amine nomenclature. Challenges will include identifying structures, correcting errors in given nomenclatures, and solving theoretical problems.

- Instructions:

• Prepare a series of workstations, each with a different type of challenge related to amine nomenclature.

• Student groups will cycle through the stations, attempting to solve each challenge within a stipulated time limit.

• Each station will have a 'judge' (teacher or more experienced peer) to assess student responses.

• At the end, the points of each group will be tallied, and the winner will be announced.

• Conduct a general review of the challenges so that all students can learn from the mistakes and successes observed during the competition.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate learning, allowing students to articulate and reflect on the knowledge acquired and the skills developed. Through group discussion, students have the opportunity to share different perspectives and approaches, enriching collective understanding and allowing the teacher to evaluate students' proficiency on the subject. This stage also serves to clarify any remaining doubts and reinforce more complex concepts.

Group Discussion

Start the group discussion by gathering all students and asking each group to share their main findings and challenges encountered during the activities. Use a board or presentation to record key information that emerges during the discussion. Encourage students to explain the reasoning behind the chosen nomenclatures and how the structures influenced their decisions.

Key Questions

1. What were the main criteria you used to decide on the nomenclature of amines during the activities?

2. How can the molecular structure of an amine affect its nomenclature?

3. Was there a situation during the activities where the nomenclature of an amine was particularly challenging? How did you solve that challenge?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of this Conclusion stage is to consolidate learning, ensuring that students have a clear and integrated understanding of the content covered. By summarizing and relating the discussed topics, this stage helps reinforce memory and comprehension among students, as well as emphasizing the applicability of the studied concepts in real situations. The conclusion also serves to reinforce the importance of studying amines and their nomenclature, preparing students for future practical applications of the acquired knowledge.

Summary

To conclude, let's recap the key points discussed today: the nomenclature of amines, their molecular structure, and the importance of distinguishing them from other organic compounds. We reviewed the IUPAC rules for naming amines and explored practical and theoretical examples illustrating how the correct identification of these compounds is crucial in various contexts, from scientific research to the pharmaceutical industry.

Theory Connection

Today's class was designed to establish a clear bridge between the theory studied at home and the practical activities carried out in class. Activities such as the puzzle challenge and analysis of real products allowed students to directly apply theoretical knowledge, reinforcing learning and understanding of amine nomenclature concepts. This practical and interactive approach aims to prepare students for real situations where knowledge of organic chemistry is essential.

Closing

Understanding the nomenclature of amines is not just an academic exercise, but a crucial skill that has significant practical implications, such as in the pharmaceutical industry, scientific research, and even daily life, like correctly identifying chemical substances in consumer products. The ability to correctly name compounds is essential for ensuring safety and efficacy in many processes and products, highlighting the relevance of what was learned today.