A multistep sequence of reactions results in the preparation of a known pharmaceutical agent. Infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra are discussed and applied to the identification of reaction products. This course introduces students to the theory and practice of quantitative analysis. Laboratory experiments are designed to be a practical realization of topics discussed in class. Topics include solubility, acid-base, redox reactions, coordination compounds and elemental properties.
Laboratory exercises illustrate lecture concepts and provide background for discussion.
Undergraduate Research Projects Students may become involved in the on going faculty research in chemistry. Students learn advanced laboratory techniques in natural products isolation, chemical synthesis and spectroscopic analysis. Students interpret sets of spectral data, including carbon-13 nmr and mass spectra, from unknown compounds to identify the structures of the compounds. This course covers the fundamentals of instrumental methods of analysis, emphasizing spectroscopic, chromatographic and surface techniques. Laboratory projects make use of techniques discussed in lecture.