Photochromic and Electrochromic Diimide Synthesized Simply from Inexpensive Compounds: A Multidisciplinary Experiment for Undergraduate Students

An interdisciplinary laboratory experiment was designed and carried out on the basis of the photo/electrochromism of N,N′-bis(cysteine)pyromellitic diimide (BCPD), suitable for organic chemistry laboratory I and physical chemistry laboratory II students. In the organic chemistry laboratory, students synthesized BCPD and studied its photo/electrochromic properties briefly. In the physical chemistry laboratory, students were asked to explore the photo/electrochemistry of the synthesized dimide through the use of various techniques such as UV–vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and conductometry measurements. By conducting this experiment, students not only learned the basic chemical concepts and techniques, such as photo/electrochemistry of imides, the use of reflux technique in organic synthesis, UV–vis spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry, but also perceived the interdisciplinary nature of chemistry research. Altogether, this experiment was designed to engage students in chemistry by connecting educatio...