Torganal



Torganal = Tasmanian produced qualitative organic
analysis program

Torganal simulates the laboratory process of identifying unknown
organic compounds (at early university level). By using this program
before starting laboratory work, students can rehearse the strategy
of identifying an unknown in a situation free from the additional
uncertainties of performing unfamiliar laboratory tasks and then
having to rely on the results. Interpretation of spectra may also
be practised.

Torganal has been reviewed very favourably in England and Australia
and is now being used by hundreds of students each year in universities
in countries throughout the world (mainly Australia, England,
and USA). Version 4 of the program was released in early 1996.

Review of version 4

'The really nice thing about this program is its ability to interact with the user and guide them onto the right path if they go astray...
Wow! All of this in less than an hour - no waiting for reactions to take place, no fires and no broken laboratory equipment. This program is ideal for supplementing laboratory work by allowing students to 'drill' unknown compounds until they understand the theory behind identification. I am sure that it could also have a place in distance based learning.' E. Blake, SACI Newsletter, kwaZulu Natal Section, October 1996.
Read the full review.



Reviews of version 3

'I would strongly recommend this program as a very useful
precursor to an organic unknown exercise in either 2nd
or 3rd year' DG Hewitt, Chemistry in Australia,
page 226, May, 1993.

'Torganal would be a useful resource for anyone who wishes for
software to support courses on organic analysis. It is user friendly,
well structured and clearly presented. ...it represents excellent
value for money...' M Atlay, Software Reviews, pages 20-21,
vol 7, 1993 (CTI Centre for Chemistry, University of Liverpool.
Read the full review.



A recent user comment


'We evaluated Torganal last academic year and 
found it incredibly useful for bringing together the various strands of 
organic chemistry. The students found it quite challenging BUT enjoyable.  
To get students to find exercises like this enjoyable says something indeed 
about your programme.'   UK, Nov. 96.

Reference

AJ Blackman, 'A Pedagogical Approach to Qualitative Organic
Analysis-Simulating the Integration of Wet Tests, Spectroscopy
and Common Sense', J. Chem. Ed., 1996, 73, 434.

Read the abstract.
 




Requirements


DOS-based program, Windows 3.1, 95, or NT, EGA display or
better.



Downloading


The program Torganal and support files and programs may be downloaded
as a zipped file (173K) from the SimTel software repositories (and mirror sites) or from here. Download torg400.zip




More information or comment? Send E-mail to
Adrian.Blackman@chem.utas.edu.au