Augmented Reality Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry Manipulable Augmented Reality Visualization to Learn Spatially (MARVLS)
Organic Chemistry MARVLS viewed through an iPhone
SN2 reaction with nucleophile approaching substrate
Product of an alkane epoxidation using mCPBA
Electrocyclic reaction showing out of phase pi orbitals
Resonance-stabilized Meisenheimer complex of a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction
WhyARMVs?
Many undergraduate students find it difficult to visualize 3D structures and reactions in organic chemistry. There is a need for context-specific spatial visualization activities to help students connect 2D representations to 3D models. We have assembled an interdisciplinary team of undergraduate chemistry and computer science research students and faculty to create 3D augmented reality (AR) models of organic chemistry concepts. MARVLS provide students with an opportunity to convert 2D representations to 3-D visualizations. Students and instructors can utilize these AR apps in a variety of situations including for use within lectures, problem solving sessions or labs either within in-person or remote instruction.
List of MARVLS Organic Chemistry Concepts
- foundational mechanistic steps
- elimination and substitution
- addition to alkenes
- alkynes
- alcohols and phenols
- ethers and epoxides
- pericyclic reactions
- aromatic compounds
- aldehydes and ketones
- carboxylic acid derivatives
- alpha carbon chemistry