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 CHEMICAL TECHNIQUES
Code CHEM022
Coordinator Dr R Boulatov
Chemistry
R.Boulatov@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2015-16 Level 5 FHEQ Second Semester 7.5

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

LIFE104  

Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the basic techniques used in synthetic organic chemistry.


Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, a student is expected to possess proficiency with basic techniques of synthetic chemistry (setting up reactions, product isolation,purification techniques and analytic characterization).

Upon successful completion of the module, a student is expected to have the basic understanding of electronic search methods for chemical information using specialized databases

Upon successful completion of the module, a student is expected to have basic ability to interpret 1H NMR, MS and IR spectra of simple organic molecules

Upon successful completion of the module, a student is expected to have basic understanding of scientifc writing


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - lecture

Laboratory Work - lab

Each lab (six 3-h sessions), the students will perform a new experiment, as described in the content; the students'' performance will be assessed by the demonstrators; demonstrators, instructors and technical staff will be available to provide hands-on advice and guidance to specific technical tasks.

Practical - workshops

The students are asked to complete a series of assignments (which they can complete before coming to class) and will be assessed on their success by demonstrators. The demonstrators and instructors will be on hand to provide guidance to students as needed.


Syllabus

Lecture 1 (RB): Basic principles of NMR spectroscopy and interpretation of spectra.

Lecture 2 (CC): Good practice and safety in the lab. Introduction to basic separation techniques (filtration, re-crystallisation, thin layer chromatography).

Experiment 1: Determination of melting point and analysis of a mixture by thin layer chromatography.

Experiment 2: Crystallisation of an unknown compound and identification of an unknown compound using an IR spectrometer.

Experiment 3: Separation of benzoic acidand naphthalene by acid-base extraction.

Experiment 4: Preparation of3-acetylcoumarin and 3-acetylcoumarin oxime.

Experiment 5: Active principles in drug tablets (TLC, MS,NMR and IR interpretation).

Experiment 6: Hydrolysis of methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate (methyl salicylate).

Workshop 1:  Interpretation of MS, IR and 1 H NMR data.

Workshop 2: Computer chemical drawing.  Structure-based chemical database searching (Beilstein on-line)


Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List:

Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 2
lecture
          2
Timetable (if known)       Each lab (six 3-h sessions), the students will perform a new experiment, as described in the content; the students' performance will be assessed by the demonstrators; demonstrators, instructors and t
 
  The students are asked to complete a series of assignments (which they can complete before coming to class) and will be assessed on their success by demonstrators. The demonstrators and instructors wi
 
 
Private Study 73
TOTAL HOURS 75

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Unseen Written Exam  one hour  second  20  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  class test There is no reassessment opportunity, class test in offered in week 12 to maximize the lab experience the students have had prior to taking the test Notes (applying to all assessments) - none 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Practical Assessment  6 experiments  semester 2  75  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment of lab techiques and the lab report There is no reassessment opportunity, We lack the space, equipment and personnel to offer make-up lab sessions; students who miss a lab for legitimate reasons are required to submit lab report on the basis of experimental data provided to them by the demonstrator; the lab-technique component of the report for the missed session will be average of lab-technique scores the student has earned in attended lab sessions 
Practical Assessment  2 workshops  Second  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  workshops There is no reassessment opportunity, Workshops are assessed by demonstrators who observe how students approach the problems; we don't have the personnel to repeat workshops. However, if a student misses a workshop for a legitimate reason, he/she will be offered an opportunity to complete all assigned problems independently and his/her solutions will be assessed as if they were performed in class