Chemistry 451

CHEM 451

Catalog Entry

CHEM 451. Qualitative Organic Analysis
One hour lecture; Six hours laboratory (3)

Prerequisite: CHEM 302

Introduction to qualitative analysis of organic compounds and separation of organic mixtures.


Detailed Description of Content of Course

The lecture part of the course includes:

1. The theory, usage, and spectrum interpretation of the NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer), the FT-IR (fourier transform infrared spectrometer), and the MS (mass spectrometer).
2. The qualitative analysis of a compound through boiling points, melting points, elemental tests, solubility tests, functional group tests, and the preparation of a derivative.
3. Acid-base separations, various types of chromatography, recrystallization techniques and solvents, and different types of distillation.

In the laboratory part of the course, each student is given five single compounds, a two-component mixture, and a three component mixture. The mixtures have to be separated using acid-base separations and all compounds are then identified by the techniques discussed in lecture. The students must obtain a NMR and a FT-IR spectrum on each unknown compound. A mass spectrum is required of two samples.


Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The lecture part of the class is given in two to three hour block segments at the beginning of the semester. In the first hour lecture, the basic identification of a compound is discussed. Each spectrometer is discussed over a three hour period, including the theory, usage, and identification of spectra. The instrument is then demonstrated to the students, then the students are allowed to run samples on the instruments. The students are then expected to know how to run the instruments so that they can analyze their unknown samples. Other lectures are devoted to analytical techniques.

Since this course is primarily a laboratory course, the students spent most of their time in the laboratory. The students are given a group of experiments to choose from in identifying their unknown samples and are allowed to work at their own pace and may work anytime during the day as long as a chemistry faculty member is available.

Homework sets and tests are based upon the lecture and problems similar to those encountered in the laboratory. The laboratory notebook lists the procedures that the students use in the laboratory and the conclusions from the experiments.


Goals and Objectives of the Course

Student outcomes:

1. To learn about the instruments that an organic chemist uses, including the theory, the usage, and the spectral interpretation from these instruments.
2. To apply the methods that are used to identify unknown compounds.
3. To use separation techniques used in organic chemistry.
4. To make decisions in the laboratory, for example, which experiment to do and to plan time effectively.


Assessment Measures

1. Laboratory reports -- the report contains the identity of the unknown compound and the discussion of the interpretation of the solubility tests, functional group tests, and spectra. These reports constitute over half of the student's grade. Correct identity of the unknown is half of the points in each report.
2. Laboratory notebook -- the notebook is a compilation of the data collected in the laboratory. It includes procedures and the discussion of the unknowns.
3. Homework, midterm, and final -- the homework, midterm, and final will be the application and the retention of the lecture material and will include some problems like those encountered in the laboratory.


Other Course Information



Review and Approval

September 2001 Reviewed by Walter S. Jaronski, Chair