Multicomponent Reactions: "Kinderleicht"

J Chem Educ. 2020 Oct 13;97(10):3739-3745. doi: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00290. Epub 2020 Aug 31.

Abstract

A demonstration experiment of the synthesis of a novel tetrazole derivative via a multicomponent reaction (Ugi tetrazole four component reaction, UT-4CR) bearing a luminol moiety and a subsequent exploitation of its chemiluminescent properties is described. A complex product is generated in just one simple step, so simple that children can do it: "kinderleicht", German for dead easy. Students are stimulated, inspired, and involved in a multilevel active learning process using the Steps to Inquiry framework as a metacognitive tool that raises student awareness regarding scientific process and prompts them to ask their own questions discussing the merits of a mechanism and evaluating its effectiveness before they start their own cycles of inquiry.