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 PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY YEAR 3 (BSC.)
Code CHEM365
Coordinator Dr A Steiner
Chemistry
A.Steiner@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2017-18 Level 6 FHEQ First Semester 15

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

Normally, completion of year 2 of either an MChem or a BSc (Hons) Chemistry programme  

Aims

In this module, students will spend four weeks carrying out advanced experimental work in two Chemistry subjects chosen from Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry

The general aims of the module are:

  • To give the student practical experience and understanding of advanced practical techniques for Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry.
  • To develop appropriate techniques for each type of experiment
  • To show the use of appropriate characterisation techniques
  • To familiarise the student with the preparation of written reports
  • To establish a close link with aspects of the lecture material covered in the Yr 3 course

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to

  • Carry out advanced practical techniques in the areas of Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
  • Give a reasoned written exposition of experimental work and achievements
  • Make valid deductions from acquired data
  • Be capable of giving comprehensible written accounts of experimental work
  • Demonstrate an understanding of shortcomings, experimental errors or weaknesses in data
  • Further develop their time management skills via coordination of the synthetic and analytical components of their experiments
  • Show that they understand the wider social or technological relevance of their work

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Laboratory Work -


Syllabus

1

Students carry out two of the following three laboratory practicals:

Organic: Students carry out four organic experiments. The introductory experiment is designed to give them experience of both flash chromatography as a purification technique and also the identification of reaction products by NMR. Subsequently they carry out a Sharpless asymmetric hydroxylation of stilbene, a lipase resolution of a racemic alcohol, and a Heck reaction. The course is designed so that they carry out two of the major purification techniques in Organic Chemistry (recrystallisation and flash chromatography). The reaction products are fully analysed and the students are required to run their own 1H-NMR, IR, optical rotations and melting points. They are required to produce a written report for each experiment supplying the compounds they have made, full spectroscopic data and mechanistic detai ls of the chemistry involved. Each practical is accompanied by a series of questions to which the student has to submit answers in their written report.

Inorganic: Students are required to carry out four out of five inorganic experiments. An introductory experiment is designed to give them basic experience in the handling of air-sensitive compounds and the use of inert atmosphere techniques. Subsequently they carry out two out of three typical examples of preparative organometallic chemistry, including (i) the preparation of the classic iron sandwich compound, ferrocene, (ii) an arene- and phosphine-substituted molybdenum carbonyl complex, (iii) the oxidative addition of a chloroalkene to a nickel(0) complex prepared in situ by the reduction of hydrated nickel chloride, and a solid state experiment: the synthesis of a lithium vanadium oxide bronze and the measurement of its conductivity. The students are required to characterise their products using a combination of analytical and spectroscopic techniques. A written report is required for each experiment and this includes both the description of experimental work and interpretation of the results. In addition, each experiment includes several questions, the answers to which are submitted for marking as part of the written report.

Physical: Students carry out a minimum of three physical chemistry experiments. The first is a compulsory experiment in which the students measure the gas phase IR spectrum of an unknown, toxic gas, and interpret their results using spreadsheets to identify the gas and determine its molecular properties. The second instrumental experiment involves the use of sophisticated equipment, including cylic voltammetry, Bunsen flame spectroscopy or high vacuum. The final experiment is a computer based experiment on either thermal desorption or atmospheric kinetics. In all cases students have to produce a full written report on the experiment and be able to answer probing questions on the theoretical basis of the techniques.

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       80

    80
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 70
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Coursework  4 weeks  first  50  none  Students will be informed at start of course about marking deadlines and late submission penalties.  Assessment 1 
Coursework  4 weeks  first  50  none  Students will be informed at start of course about marking deadlines and late submission penalties.  Assessment 2 
Coursework  4 weeks  first  50  none  Students will be informed at start of course about marking deadlines and late submission penalties.  Assessment 3 Notes (applying to all assessments) Organic laboratory Work marked in students presence to allow for immediate feedback or students lab book marked. Anonymous marking impossible.Inorganic laboratory Work marked in students presence to allow for immediate feedback or students lab book marked. Anonymous marking impossible.physical laboratory Work marked in students presence to allow for immediate feedback or students lab book marked. Anonymous marking impossible.