A importância das revistas Química Nova e Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society no crescimento da área de química no Brasil

Quimica Nova and the Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society are two examples of successful initiatives taken by the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ - Sociedade Brasileira de Química), and may serve as models for the scientific societies of developing countries. Pillars of the SBQ, these two periodicals are undeniable demonstrations that idealism, utopia and dignity are the essential ingredients for transforming dreams into reality. Few believed that the Brazilian chemical community would one day have, as it does today, two scientific research periodicals indexed in the principal international data banks.

Duas décadas de química nova

A brief overview of the 20 years of Química Nova, a journal published by the Sociedade Brasileira de Química, is presented.

A importância das revistas Química Nova e Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society no crescimento da área de química no Brasil

Quimica Nova and the Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society are two examples of successful initiatives taken by the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ - Sociedade Brasileira de Química), and may serve as models for the scientific societies of developing countries. Pillars of the SBQ, these two periodicals are undeniable demonstrations that idealism, utopia and dignity are the essential ingredients for transforming dreams into reality. Few believed that the Brazilian chemical community would one day have, as it does today, two scientific research periodicals indexed in the principal international data banks.

Avaliação da pós-graduação da área de química na CAPES e a internacionalização das revistas da Sociedade Brasileira de Química: Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society e Química Nova

This paper discusses of the use of the Impact Factor in the evaluation of chemistry graduate courses by CAPES and the internationalization of the Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society and Química Nova.

Redes de colaboração científica na área de química no Brasil: um estudo baseado nas coautorias dos artigos da revista Química Nova

In this paper we built three co-authorship networks displaying the acquaintances between countries, universities and authors that have published papers in Quimica Nova from 1995 to 2008. Our research was conducted applying a bibliometric approach to 1782 papers and over 4200 authors. Centrality measures were used and the most significant actors of each network were pointed out. The results using the centrality metrics and the network structures indicated that Quimica Nova resembles a typical scientific community.

Química Nova Interativa - QNInt - o portal do conhecimento da SBQ: conectando ciência e educação

The Química Nova Interativa (QNInt) portal was launched in 2009 by the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ) to offer free quality content for broad audiences. QNInt provides peer-reviewed articles from SBQ journals on science & society, chemical concepts, classroom activities and educational research. With 3,000,000 visits, QNInt also offers a unique library of interactive molecules. In the International Year of Chemistry QNInt served for distributing pH kits and registering data from IUPAC's Global Water Experiment, yielding Brazil the largest share of the global pH data set. The portal performance makes QNInt a valuable resource for connecting science to education.

Vicente Seabra Telles e a criação da nomenclatura em português para a Química 'Nova' de Lavoisier

In 1787, Lavoisier and coworkers published a 314-page book entitled Méthode de nomenclature chimique in which a novel system for the naming of compounds and elements was presented. The Brazilian chemist Vicente Coelho de Seabra Telles (1764-1804) was responsible for translating it into Portuguese. Telles proposed the adoption not only of the Latin etymology, but decided to use Latin suffixes as well, because of the similarity between Latin and the Portuguese language. In doing so, he made the names of the compounds in Portuguese bear a closer resemblance to the names in Latin than to those in French or Spanish.

A nova química do estanho

The organometallic chemistry of tin has experienced a phenomenal growth in the last decades. From virtually no important research or applications 50 years ago it has blossomed into a vigorous branch of the chemical sciences. This article aims at reviewing its characteristics and the reasons for this growth, concentrating on the current trends and the latest research in the area.

A nova lei de patentes, a indústria química e a universidade

This paper aims to present some features of the Industrial Property Law now in force in Brazil, as far as they could be regarded to the activities of research and development in the field of Chemistry and related areas, not only in the chemical industry but also in the university. By means of analysis of the main articles and paragraphs, which could deal with the mentioned activities, the author points out the scope and limitations of that law and explains the meaning of common technical terms usually found in patent concerns. Ultimately, a brief discussion on the actual and the potential role of the Brazilian university in the sphere of the Industrial Property is made.

A extração de cafeína em bebidas estimulantes: uma nova abordagem para um experimento clássico em química orgânica

Caffeine extraction procedures from water soluble and water insoluble materials for preparing stimulating beverages are described. Water soluble materials used were instant tea and coffee and water insoluble materials were, among others, guaraná powder and maté leaves. The extraction of caffeine from water soluble materials, especially instant tea, is more suitable for an organic chemistry teaching laboratory than the classic experiment using tea leaves, due to the economy of time and a larger amount of extracted caffeine. The procedure is time-saving and requires only a four-hour period. The experiments illustrate the extraction process as used in undergraduate organic chemistry laboratories.

Química geral experimental: uma nova abordagem didática

This essay describes a new didactic approach, in according with the national curriculum guidelines for chemistry undergraduate courses in Brazil, employed during the one-semester course "Experimental General Chemistry" for chemistry undergraduate students at the Federal University of Piauí. The new approach has positively helped student's training by improving their reading skills and their understanding of scientific reports, by developing the use of electronic tools to search and to recover the required knowledge for their learning activities, and by improving their skills of understanding published texts and dealing with digital sources. At the same time the students are strongly stimulated to enter the research program for undergraduate students available at the University.

A graduação em química: um novo químico para uma nova era

The discussions sponsored by the Brazilian Chemical Society, over the past five years, intending to produce a chemistry agenda with perspectives and needs for the next decade for the country, have involved the national chemistry community and several related sectors of Brazilian society. Chemistry education has been the theme throughout these discussions. It is known that the low level of basic and secondary education and the recent increase in high school courses and institutions adversely affect the quality of undergraduate teaching. The recent national "Curriculum Guidelines" for Chemistry Courses, through their flexible approach, encourage the integral, interdisciplinary (non compartmentalized) and critical-reflexive training of professionals as citizens and as entrepreneurs. However, deficiencies are still recognized. The system of undergraduate course evaluation has identified the most fragile modalities of the courses and other indicators. Also, it has been verified that the Brazilian chemistry industry absorbs only minimally the highly qualified professionals, which is attributed to the fact that the Federal Council of Chemistry is vertically organized and does not recognize the graduate degrees as professional qualifications. In conclusion, the importance of the effective implantation of the national curriculum guidelines is apparent, among other aspects, highlighting courses whose didactical and pedagogical projects may offer a solid formation in Chemistry. However, at the same time the guidelines are comprehensive and general enough to enable the chemistry professionals to develop varied skills.