Vol. 117 No. 2 (2021)

The aim of this work is to analyze how international accreditations of university programs in Chemistry are developed, managed by the National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation (ANECA), in collaboration with the Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry (RSEQ), within the International Quality Labels Program (SIC), in which an international Chemistry label is awarded, to those programs that show compliance with the criteria of evaluation established by the European Chemistry Thematic Network Association (ECTN), based on learning outcomes selected by academics and professionals from different countries in the field of Chemistry. The data used in this study has been obtained from the evaluations carried out by ANECA between January 2018 and April 2021. 9 universities have obtained the Euro-label® label for their Chemistry educational programs in the period analyzed

Keywords: : international labels, quality, accreditation, Chemistry, ANECA, ECTN.

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are a type of crystalline porous solid, built up from polydentate linkers and inorganic centers, with important potential applications (e.g., separation, catalysis or biomedicine, among others). This review describes the huge chemical and structural versatility of these multifunctional materials, referring to type-examples. In addition, the generally used synthetic methods are described, together with the different strategies applied to enhance their properties via their compositional modification (e.g., functionalization, composite materials).

To effectively combat the spread of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus among the population, WHO recommends using disinfectant products, such as ethyl alcohol, soap, bleach and hydrogen peroxide, which are to be found in most homes, as well as the use of face masks. The analysis of the composition, concentration, characteristics and mode of action of the chemical substances that constitute these products is an opportune didactic resource that enables students to check the effects of chemistry on the health and well-being of society in a practical and applied manner.

Keywords: chemistry and COVID-19, disinfectants and coronavirus, soap, hydroalcoholic gel, face masks

A manipulative and playful figure of the periodic table is proposed. It is a kaleidocycle: a three-dimensional figure made from a flat template, consisting of 4 different faces that can be changed with simple movements. In this kaleidocycle, the entire periodic table has been collected, taking care of many didactic aspects and in an organized way, since its groups of elements are divided into the 4 known blocks according to the external electronic configuration. It is intended to achieve a more motivating, didactic and exciting learning of the periodic table.

Keywords: Periodic system, groups or families, element blocks, metals, non-metals.

This article includes a reflection on the teaching conditions of physics and chemistry during confinement derived from the COVID-19 pandemic, providing information on didactic resources and various aspects related to the methodology, and emphasizing the importance of teacher in the teaching-learning process.

Keywords: Education, educational resources, pandemic, laboratory, teacher.

: Instrumental analytical procedures for quantitative analysis usually use the proportionality between the concentration of a substance and an analytical signal. This generally involves constructing a calibration curve optimizing the factors that can influence the signal so that, from the signal of the analyzed substance, its concentration can be determined by interpolation of the calibration line. This article shows an experience that applies the calibration method to the determination of acetic acid with cheap reagents and instruments available in school laboratories to practice this working method in high school courses.

Keywords: Calibration curve, acetic acid, quantitative analytical chemistry, vinegar, magnetic stirrer.

A model of educational activity based on current research on the application of essential oils as a natural alternative to products obtained by chemical synthesis is proposed in this paper. Specifically, an experiment is proposed and discussed for the observation of antifungal and germination inhibitor activities, related to research on alternative food additives and natural herbicides. Its objective is to contribute to the development of students’ environmental sensitivity over the different stages of the Educational System, as well as their contribution to the social appreciation of scientific research.

The Bicentennial of the founding of the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid was celebrated in 2019. In this work, as a continuation of a previous one, we deal with the contributions of Chemistry to Painting. We also comment on some of the paintings in the collection of the world-famous museum related to the History of Chemistry. 

Keywords: Museo Nacional del Prado, Pictorial Chemistry, History of Chemistry

A brief historical analysis of chemistry is carried out from its origins to the beginning of the 20th century. The aim of this study is to provide pre-university level chemistry teachers with elements of interest that may allow them to introduce the history of chemistry in their classes to facilitate its learning. This historical approach consists of three main sections: 1) the origins of modern chemistry; 2) the beginning of the atomic theory and the development of organic chemistry; 3) conversations of chemistry with physics: physical chemistry and quantum chemistry.

Keywords: history of chemistry, teaching chemistry, preuniversity chemistry

The historical study of the periodic table of the elements provides an excellent opportunity to show the role of women in chemistry, despite the fact that it was frequently not recognized. In some cases, their work was essential for the design of experimental setups, the improvement of analytical tests, the collection of samples or the preparation of reports. In the Spanish case, different women contributed decisively to fluorine chemistry in the first third of the 20th century. Their study contributes to visibilize their work, their names and their role as experts.

Keywords: women, periodic table, invisibilization, fluorine, chemical analysis.

Spanish chemist who, in collaboration with two other American scientists, published in 1930 an article on the chemical and spectroscopic characteristics of cystine. She was a true pioneer because this article is considered the first international scientific contribution made by a Spanish woman in the field of Biochemistry. However, her scientific career was cut short by her marriage (“My husband retired me from science”, she declared at the age of 92), and by the Spanish Civil War, which led to her exile and subsequent academic disqualification.

Keywords: Keywords: Spectroscopy, cystine, absorption, raman, pioneer