Design of Jacob’s ladder-based teaching aids for illustrating the dualities of benzene derivatives

The dualities of benzene derivatives often make basic organic chemistry challenging for students. This includes the relationship between full structural and line-angle formulas, the distinctions between preferred and systematic IUPAC names for benzene derivatives, and the nuances between ortho-, para-, and meta-directors. To effectively demonstrate these dualities of benzene derivatives, we have designed a range of teaching aids rooted in the folk toy, Jacob’s ladder. This paper presents lectures designed for advanced placement high school students and nonchemistry majors, employing this innovative series of Jacob’s ladder-based teaching aids. The majority of students found the lecture engaging, and many developed a comprehensive understanding of the dualities of benzene derivatives.