Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Introductory Spectroscopy
Code CHEM170
Coordinator Dr C Cropper
Central Teaching Laboratory
Catherine.Cropper@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2023-24 Level 4 FHEQ Whole Session 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (or general academic requirements):
 

Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce modern spectroscopic methods in chemistry.

Students will understand and be able to apply:
the interaction of light with matter
the importance of quantum mechanics in understanding atomic structure
atomic and molecular spectroscopy
information obtained from different spectroscopic techniques
the interpretation of spectroscopic data for deduction of molecular structure

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Demonstrate an understanding of atomic structure.

(LO2) Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles behind rotational, vibrational, electronic spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

(LO3) Demonstrate an understanding of the application of spectroscopic techniques to elucidate molecular structure.

(LO4) Demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge to real spectroscopic problems.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lectures: 32 x 1 hr lectures. Students will be given access to an accompanying e-textbook to reinforce material. The final lectures in each semester will be used for revision purposes.

Workshops: 10 x 2 hr workshops will reinforce the material with additional further examples of the relevant topics. Students will be given problems that have to be completed during the workshop. Students will be assessed on their performance in workshops.

*Lectures: 32 hr
*Workshops: 20 hr

Syllabus
 

The role of quantum mechanics in chemistry
The basic ideas of quantum mechanics
To include free particles, uncertainty principle
H-atom and its absorption spectrum
Formal postulates of quantum mechanics

Introduction to spectroscopy
Principles of Spectroscopy
Boltzmann Populations
Spectroscopic techniques

UV/visible spectroscopy
Absorption of UV–VIS radiation
Electronic transitions in the vacuum–UV
π–conjugation in organic molecules
Compounds that absorb in the visible region

Mass spectrometry
Introduction to ionisation techniques
Electron impact mass spectroscopy (focus on TOF)
Isotope abundances
Parent ions and fragmentations
Analysis of mass spectra

Vibrational and rotational Spectroscopy
Vibrational and rotational motion
harmonic oscillator
free rotor
Rotating molecules and moments of inertia
Rotational spectroscopy: rigid rotor di atomic
Rotational Selection Rules and Determination of bond lengths
Vibrations of a diatomic molecule
Vibrational Selection rules
Vibrational spectroscopy and determination of bond force constants
Vibrations of small polyatomics

IR spectroscopy
Absorption of IR radiation
Regions of the IR spectrum
Analysing IR spectra
Applications of IR spectroscopy

Revisiting Spin
electron vs nuclear

NMR spectroscopy
Magnetically active nuclei and abundance
Recording an NMR spectrum
Solvents
Chemical shift equivalence of nuclei
Homonuclear and Heteronuclear coupling between nuclei with I = 1/2, multiplicity and coupling constants
Splitting (stick) diagrams
The role of hydrogen bonds
Strategy for structure elucidation

Combining spectroscopic techniques for structure elucidation

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 32

         20

 52
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 98
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
written exam Resit: A single resit including reassessment of S2 coursework  90    35       
written exam Resit: A single resit including reassessment of S1 coursework  90    35       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Workshop material, completed during 7 workshops and 3 online quizzes (automatic anonymous grading) Exemptions: electronic submission 3.2b, mix anonymous marking 4.3e Resit: No separate resit, r  0    30