Dennis K. P. Ng

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Curriculum Leadership Program Inquiry-based
Chemistry Experiments
Dennis K. P. Ng Department of Chemistry The
Chinese University of Hong Kong
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Why should we go for inquiry-based approach in
the teaching and learning of Chemistry.
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Chemistry is the science that investigates and
manipulates the nature of matter at the
molecular level. Stephen Lippard
Chemistry is a central, useful and creative
science. Ronald Breslow
Since human imagination has no boundaries, the
field of chemistry can therefore never be
considered mature. Stephen Lippard
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Discovery of Fullerenes A New Form of Carbon
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C60
C70
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Nanotubes are stronger than steel, but the
most important uses for these threadlike
macromolecules may be in faster, more efficient
and more durable electronic devices. Scientific
American, December 2000, 38-45.
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Total Synthesis of Brevetoxin B
? A neurotoxin found in red tides ? contains 11
rings fused together by trans junctions with 23
stereocenters
? 83 steps - the longest linear sequence applied
to date ? overall yield 0.0043 (the average
yield per step was 91) ? Its total synthesis
took 12 years to complete
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Supramolecular Chemistry
The Interlocking of Two Molecular Rings
2catenane
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5catenane - Olympiadane
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A Switchable Molecular Shuttle
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A good chemist should have

• a broad knowledge in Chemistry
• a solid experimental technique
• problem-solving ability
• intuition or sense in Chemistry
• good organization and communication skill
• creativity and imagination

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