67062 - Organic Chemistry with Laboratory

Learning outcomes

When the course ends, the students develop a basic knowledge of the Organic Chemistry. The basics are: naming and structure of organic compounds; graphical drawing of the chemical structure of organic compounds, structure and reactivity of the functional groups, isomeric structures concepts, regio- and stereoisomerism, structure and reactivity of reactive intermediates. A second set of required concepts includes simple organic reactions: electrophilic and nucleophilic substitution to aliphatic and aromatic systems; addition and elimination reactions; nucleophilic addition and nucleophilic substitution to carbonyls. The students learn also the main experimental techniques employed in organic chemistry: distillation, solvent extraction, crystallization and chromatograpy, the methodologies employed in simple organic reactions and the classic characterization methods. Finally, the students grow sensitivity to the risks involved in the laboratory techniques, how to use the individual safety devices and how to manage and dispose of glass devices and chemicals.

Course contents

Prerequisites

• Atomic structure and chemical bond - Schroedinger atomic model, quantic numbers, orbitals and electronic configurations;
• Equilibria in solution - pH - Definitions of acid and base;
• Termochemistry and introduction to chemical thermodynamics - Enthalpy and bond energy - Entropy and disorder - Gibbs energy and spontaneous chemical reactions;
• Free energy, Equilibrium constant and its dependence on temperature;
• Chemical reactions and their balancement.

Contents

Reminder of general chemistry. The organic compounds. Electronic effects of functional groups. Reactive intermediates and their stabilization.

BONDING AND ISOMERISM

ALKANES.

ALKENES.

ALKYNES.

AROMATIC COMPOUNDS

STEREOISOMERISM

ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS AND THIOLS

HALOGEN DERIVATIVES

ETHERS, EPOXIDES AND THIOETHERS.

ALDEHYDES AND KETONES.

CARBOXYLIC ACIDS AND DERIVATIVES (ACYL HALIDES, ANHYDRIDES, ESTERS, AMIDES, NITRILES).

AMINES.

LABORATORY

Safety in a laboratory of organic chemistry: products, apparatuses, standard procedures, waste disposal, common hazards, safe working practice, and emergency procedures.

Laboratory equipments and procedures: glassware, filtration devices, heating mantles and plates, stirring methods, vacuum pumps, rotary evaporators, equipment assembly, the laboratory notebook.

Base procedures in a laboratory of organic chemistry: distillation, extraction, crystallisation, thin-layer- and column-chromatography.

Characterisation of organic molecules: infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, polarimetry.

Examples of synthesis, separation, purification, and characterisation of organic compounds (examples of simple reactions) with measurement of physical constants.

The chemical literature: the structure of chemical information and literature, on-line databases and resources.

Readings/Bibliography

Slides supplied by the teacher

For lessons based on the organic reactivity

J. Clayden, N. Greeves, S. Warren. Edizione Italiana sulla seconda lingua inglese. Piccin-Nuova Libreria. 2023.

Teaching methods

Lessons supported by electronic presentations, exercises, and practical activity in the laboratory (introduction during the lectures) performed by the students under the supervision of the teacher.

Attendance at the laboratory experiences is mandatory.

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] online, while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme

Assessment methods

The assessment methods consist in a written exam (within 1,5 hours, without notes and books except the periodic table) and a lab test.

The written exam consists in 4 open questions, on the theoretical part of the course about the structure, synthesis, purification and reactivity of organic molecules (32 points maximum). The final written exam can be substituted by two tests during the course.

The written exam counts for 70% of the final score.

The laboratory test consists in an experience in the lab followed by a short discussion with the teacher (32 points maximum).

The lab part counts for 30% of the final score.

The maximum score is 32 on 30, from 31 the final score will be 30 cum laude.

Enrollment in Almaesami is mandatory

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations (whole course) and written lectures (laboratory section only) by the teachers will be available on-line.

Office hours

See the website of Mauro Comes Franchini

See the website of Erica Locatelli