A Course Syllabus is available. This laboratory and lecture course offers an introduction to modern experimental chemistry. Laboratory projects include the synthesis and analysis of a transition metal coordination compound, the synthesis and analysis of a common drug, and the use of infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry to elucidate molecular structure. The lecture component treats such topics as laboratory safety, accuracy and precision of measurements, interpretation of data, and the theory of visible and infrared spectrophotometry. Both the laboratory and lecture place special emphasis on developing an understanding of spectrophotometric instrumentation and its proper use for chemical analysis.
Emphasis is placed on the use of computers for data analysis and reporting.
Communication skills are developed through written laboratory reports and the proper use of a laboratory notebook. One laboratory or lecture session will be held per week. This is a continuation of CHEM 113 . Laboratory projects may include investigations of the properties of acid-base buffers, the investigation of the kinetics of the hydrolysis of a simple drug, chromatographic separation of amino acids, and the synthesis of several polymers. The lecture component includes the fundamentals of acid-base chemistry, simple chemical kinetics, and thermochemistry.