2.) The catalyst precursor is air and moisture sensitive, so the students were able to learn to handle air sensitive reagents how using equipment such as inert atmosphere glove boxes, solvent purification systems, and high vacuum lines. Formation of lactic acid) was monitored by H NMR spectroscopy (Figure S6 in the Supporting Information). Additionaly, analysis of the reaction was carried out using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) to monitor polymer molecular weights and molecular weight distributions. For laboratories that are not equipped with such specialized equipment, there are numerous other air and moisture stable catalysts that have been developed for the polymerization of lactide. Many of these catalysts such as tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate or 1,8 diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), are inexpensive and are commercially available. In the absence of gel permeation chromatography or other types of size exclusion chromatog- raphy, the progress of the polymerization reaction can easily be monitored by measuring the viscosity of the reaction micture. Precipitation of the polymer in methanol solution also allows the students analyze the macroscopic physical properties of to the new material (eg, Tm, Ta, etc. which is very similar to many of the industrial plastics that they are more familiar with.