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 Prof R Boulatov
Chemistry
R.Boulatov@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 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: Good practice and safety in the lab. Introduction to basic separation techniques (filtration, re-crystallisation, thin layer chromatography).

Lecture 2: Basic principles of NMR spectroscopy and interpretation of spectra.

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

Experiment 2: Separation of benzoic acid and biphenyl by acid-base extraction.

Experiment 3: Crystallisation of an unknown compound and identification of unknown compounds by IR spectroscopy.

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

Experiment 5: Active principles in drug tablets.

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

Workshop 1: Computer chemical drawing.  Structure-based chemical database searching

Workshop 2: Interpretation of MS, IR and 1 H NMR data.


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
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Practical Assessment  6 experiments  semester 2  10  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment of lab results and techiques 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 
Practical Assessment  1 report per experim  2nd semester  75  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  lab report There is no reassessment opportunity, Lab reports are based on the experimental results and observations collected by the student during the preceding lab period. Since subsequent experiments build on the skills developed and results obtained in the preceding lab period, and lab reports is the primary means for us to assess how successfully the students mastered the skills, lab reports must be submitted and evaluated before the next lab period to ensure successful progression to learning objectives.  
Practical Assessment  1 pre-lab test per e  2nd semester  10  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  online pre-labs There is no reassessment opportunity, students may not start experiments until they demonstrated sufficient understanding of the procedure and the associated hazards; students may attempt to pass each pre-lab test as many times as they wish provided that they pass the test before midnight on the day preceding the lab period. Students who fail to pass the pre-lab will not be allowed to perform the corresponding experiments because they may lack sufficient understanding of the procedures and hazards. Notes (applying to all assessments) - none