This activity is designed to give students a deeper understanding of what post-translational modification does in a metalloenzyme using nitrile hydratase (NHase) as a model system.  The metallo-active site of NHase contains a cobalt(III) center that is bound to an unusual coodination sphere containing bis-amidate, cysteinate, sulfenate (RSO^-), and sulfinate (RSO₂^-) ligands.

This is a fun chemistry project where students make model compounds to learn various structural aspects of the compound. This is an individual project that is each student is assigned with one compound.  They can use any item (for e.g. Styrofoam balls etc) to make their very own model compound. The model should contain all the atoms (visually distinctive), bonds, lone pairs. Student is expected to create something novel rather using molecular model kit. They can use text book and lecture material for the resources.

31-P NMR spectrum of alpha-dodecatungstophosphoric acid is a combination of thirteen spectra, each spectrum representing the compound with a different number of ¹⁸³W isotopes per molecule. In order to fully interpret the spectrum one needs to apply binomial distribution to calculate the mole fractions of the molecules with various numbers of ¹⁸³W isotopes.

This LO requires an understanding of the satellites concept in NMR spectroscopy, originating from coupling with nuclei whose NMR active isotopes are not 100% abundant.

This learning objective focuses on the enzyme aconitase.  The iron-sulfur cluster is used to regulate iron in the cell and isomerize citrate for energy – two very different mechanisms.  The activity consists of an introduction to the enzyme and a student discussion on the mechanism of the isomerization of citrate to isocitrate; starting in a small group setting followed by a class debriefing.