From Plastic Models to Virtual Reality Headsets: Enhancing Molecular Structure Education for Undergraduate Students.

The comprehension of molecular structure is pivotal in chemistry education. Over the past decade, Mahidol University International College has employed various teaching tools for the introductory chemistry laboratory class. This paper outlines our evolutionary shift from traditional tools, such as plastic and plasticine models, to the integration of computer software, and ultimately to augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) tools-specifically, MoleculARweb and MolecularWebXR developed by École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne researchers. In this paper, we detail the implementation of these tools in our classes and present the outcomes of student surveys. Our instructional focus encompasses VSEPR, Atomic Orbitals, Molecular Orbitals, Skeletal Formula, and Enantiomers. This paper not only serves as a model for educators in general chemistry at secondary school or university levels to incorporate technology into their classrooms but also showcases a collaborative endeavor between Swiss and Thai researchers.

Persulfate-promoted oxidative C-N bond coupling of quinoxalinones and NH-sulfoximines.

The persulfate-meditated oxidative C-N bond coupling of the C-H bond of quinoxalinones and the N-H bond of NH-sulfoximines is reported. The reaction proceeds smoothly under transition metal-free conditions and provides good to excellent yields of sulfoximidoyl-functionalized quinoxalinone products under mild conditions. The optimized conditions were found to be suitable for a range of sulfoximine and quinoxalinone substrates. This reaction offers a new and convenient strategy to directly install the sulfoximine moiety into the C3 position of quinoxalinone.

DABCO-catalyzed silver-promoted direct thiolation of pyrazolones with diaryl disulfides.

A highly efficient protocol for a direct thiolation of N-substituted pyrazolones with diaryl disulfides is described. Using a combination of DABCO and silver(i) acetate, the C-S bond formation proceeds smoothly at room temperature under mild and easy to handle conditions. This synthetic strategy offers a convenient and direct modification of antipyrine and other pyrazolone substrates, giving a series of aryl sulfide-substituted pyrazolone products in moderate to excellent yields.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylative coupling of α-keto acids and sulfoximines.

A copper-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylative coupling of α-keto acids with NH-sulfoximines has been developed. With CuBr as the catalyst and K2S2O8 as the oxidant, this reaction enables the formation of a C-N bond and gives N-aroylsulfoximine products in moderate to excellent yields. The reaction mechanism is likely to involve the generation of a reactive aroyl radical intermediate.