The general aims of the module are:

• To give the student practical experience and understanding of advanced practical techniques in two areas from: Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry
• To develop appropriate techniques for each type of experiment
• To show the use of suitable characterisation techniques
• To make valid deductions from acquired data
• To familiarise the student with the preparation of written reports
• To establish a close link with aspects of the lecture material covered in the Yr2 and Yr3 course

Carry out advanced practical techniques in two areas from Organic, Inorganic, Physical Chemistry

Give a reasoned written exposition of experimental or computational work and achievements

Make valid deductions from acquired data

Give 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

Laboratory Work - Laboratory Work

Organic:  Students carry out three organic experiments that are based on catalytic transformations (enzyme-catalysed resol ution, metal-catalysed reactions) and give them experience of both flash chromatography and recrystallisation as purification techniques. The reaction products are analysed by NMR, IR, optical rotations and melting points. The students are required to produce a written report for each experiment supplying the compounds they have made, full spectroscopic data and mechanistic details 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 carry out three inorganic experiments in which they prepare and analyse compounds from the branches of organometallic and solid state chemistry. The background to these topics is taught in lecture modules CHEM214 and CHEM313. A written laboratory report is required for each experiment, which includes synthetic methods and the interpretation of analytical and spectroscopic 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 three physical chemistry experiments in the areas of spectroscopy, electrochemistry and surface science. The experiments serve as an introduction to subjects covered in semester 2 Physical Chemistry lectures and allow students to develop more sophisticated skills in data acquisition, analysis and fitting. A written laboratory 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.

Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry textbooks