DOI
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00851

Summary
The paper reports a series of experiments based upon cinnamon oil that were developed to provide a practical integration of green and sustainable chemistry concepts for the organic chemistry laboratory.
Five experiments centering around cinnamaldehyde (the main component of cinnamon oil) as a green, plant-based chemical were performed by undergraduate students in a second-year organic chemistry class. Cinnamaldehyde was chosen as the focus of this laboratory series not only because it is a plant-based chemical, but also because it has a favorable structure for multiple reactions taught in Organic Chemistry II classes. (alcohol reduction, Schiff base reaction, and aldol reaction). The antimicrobial properties of cinnamaldehyde and its derivatives also provide the unique opportunity to incorporate an interdisciplinary component into the series of laboratories and for students to gain exposure to how green chemistry can be applied beyond the scope of chemistry.
The described design of the five undergraduate organic chemistry experiments has a trifold aim: (a) allow students to practice standard reaction and characterization techniques; (b) lead students to explore the broader application of the reactions they performed by applying them in current areas of research; (c) show how chemistry and microbiology are interrelated. Through these experiments, students can practice techniques such as thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography, recrystallization, and measurement of melting points along with UV, FTIR, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Microscale practices were employed in each of the reactions, and microscale column chromatography was used for purifications. An antimicrobial activity assessment of cinnamon oil, cinnamaldehyde and the derivatives obtained from the previous experiments is the used interdisciplinary component. Along with the interdisciplinary component, students were exposed to sunscreen chemistry and were led to consider the many uses of each product obtained.
Specifically, the first experiment in the series is the hydrodistillation of cinnamon to obtain cinnamon oil containing cinnamaldehyde. Application of 1H NMR showed that the cinnamon oil obtained was pure cinnamaldehyde. In the second experiment that is a reduction reaction, the cinnamon oil was used as the source of cinnamaldehyde. Experiments three and four are a Schiff base formation followed by an aldol reaction carried out with cinnamaldehyde. Lastly, an interdisciplinary component is included where students measure the antimicrobial properties of each product from the prior experiments.

Relevance for Complex Systems Knowledge
The paper deals with interdisciplinarity. Authors propose five experiments that allow students to benefit from gaining exposure to green chemistry and practical hands-on opportunities to employ some of the practices as well as through an interdisciplinary component that prompts them to recognize the interconnectedness and interdependence of chemistry with other disciplines. As an example, an interdisciplinary component was discussed to show how chemistry and microbiology are interrelated.

Point of Strength
The strength of the publication is the detailed description of a series of laboratories that were designed to provide tangible ways to introduce interdisciplinarity while meeting the foundational objectives of existing organic chemistry experiments.