Aims
This course aims to:
● give you confidence and understanding of the core chemical concepts
● expand your knowledge and understanding of essential concepts
● introduce you to complex new concepts
Content
This course provides an overview of the basic concepts of the structure of the atom, and the principles of bonding that lead atoms to assemble together to give compounds through chemical reactions. The course will review the fundamental chemical calculations to work out moles, mass and particles using Avogadro's number, followed by molarity questions, the process of making aqueous solutions, calculating the yield, atom economy and – finally – how to explain in-depth mathematical concepts relating to weak acids and bases, in order to calculate the pH of strong and weak acids.
You will then look at the ionic product of water, using Le Chatelier's principle for a dynamic equilibrium to calculate the pH of weak acids and bases.
The course also outlines the physical principles of thermodynamics for endothermic and exothermic reactions, the direct calculations of enthalpy change of combustion, reaction and neutralisation from experimental results and the use of Hess's law to calculate indirectly the enthalpy change of a reaction quantitatively.
You will see examples of reactions which are thermodynamically feasible, but which do not happen: we will explore the reasons why this is the case. We will study the kinetics of reactions using the principles of the collision theory, and the factors that affect the rate of a reaction. You will learn why some reactions are completed within a fraction of a second whereas others may take centuries. In addition you will learn how to predict the feasibility of redox reactions using standard electrode potentials.
Finally, you will review and name the main functional groups of organic chemistry, and key spectroscopic techniques for their functional group identification and structure determination.
Presentation of the course
Although the ten sessions will follow a traditional, podium-based format, Dr Sonia Lozano Yeste aims to make lectures as interactive and engaging as possible, so expect participating actively in your learning process by working in groups, and answering some quizzes interactively as well as some questions to be asked of the audience! During the course you will apply your critical thinking, communications skills and rely on time management skills. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask individual questions too. Sessions will also include some videos of some simple practical demonstrations and a visit to the Chemistry department will allow you to see the infrared (IR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) instrumentation used to characterise organic molecules.
Course sessions
1. Atomic structure, isotopes, the periodic table and trends of the periodic table
Revision on the evidence for subatomic particles and the arrangement of electrons with the most updated models. Overview of the period table and classification of blocks of elements in terms of s-, p-. d-, and f-orbitals, use of the electron arrangements to understand the bonding in compounds of these elements and the reactions and trends in reactivity in the group.
2. Bonding
How atoms assemble together to form compounds - ionic, covalent and metallic bonding. Introduction to the three weaker types of intermolecular forces that act between molecules, the most significant of these being hydrogen bonding. Examination of electronegativity bond polarity in covalent bonds and exploration on how the electrons contribute to the shapes of molecules and ions.
3. Moles, molarity, and aqueous solutions; strong acids and bases
The concept of a mole; how to convert between moles, mass and particles using Avogadro’s numbers; how to answer molarity questions and make aqueous solutions. Calculations to find the yield calculation and atom economy.
4. Reaction rates and equilibrium
Reaction rates at which reactions take place, reinforcing the idea that reactions only happen when the reactants collide with enough energy to break bonds and the role of a catalyst. Collision theory and the factors that affect the rate of a reaction. The Maxwell-Bolzman distribution to show the fraction of reactants with enough collision energy at a given temperature. Dynamic equilibrium and Le Chatelier principle are also explored to understand equilibrium constants Kc. It examines how to get the greatest proportion of desired products in the mixture by changing the conditions and how to calculate the equilibrium composition.
5. Acids, bases, pH and buffers
Defining acids (and bases) using the Brønsted-Lowry theory and calculating the pH of a strong acid, strong base and weak acids. Understanding how the equilibrium constant applies to weak acids. Understanding the relationship between the ionic product of water and pH. Tackling in-depth mathematical concepts regarding weak acids and bases which help to calculate the pH of weak acid solution. Buffer solutions, which resist changes of pH, is also explained.
6. Introduction to thermodynamics and collision theory
Introducing the concept of thermodynamics using a qualitative approach via enthalpy level diagrams. Revision of endothermic and exothermic reactions, and look at different ways of measuring enthalpy changes and then use Hess's law to predict the energy changes of reactions.
7. Oxidation, reduction and redox reactions. Electrode potentials
It explains the idea of an oxidation state for elements and ions. and uses this to help balance complex redox (reduction-oxidation) equations. It expands the definition of oxidation as addition of oxygen to include reactions that involve electron transfers. Understanding redox equations and its uses to predict the feasibility of electrode potentials.
8. Introduction to organic chemistry
Identifying functional groups in organic molecules and understanding their importance in organic chemistry. Naming organic compounds using IUP/AC naming system.
9. Introduction to spectroscopy
Characterisation techniques such as mass spectroscopy, infrared, and NMR and their applications in research. Mass spectrometer and describe its use in determining the relative molecular masses of compounds and also their molecular formulae. Infra-red spectroscopy is introduced as a vital tool for identifying the functional groups in organic compounds.
10. Structure determination
Deeper understanding of carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy and Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to show how these techniques can be used to help to deduce structures of organic compounds.
Learning outcomes
You are expected to gain from this series of classroom sessions a greater understanding of the subject and of the core issues and arguments central to the course.
The learning outcomes for this course are:
● understand the underlying concepts that underpin general chemical reactions
● understand key concepts regarding equilibria and properties of acids and bases
● understand the physical principles of thermodynamic and kinetic theory
● understand key spectroscopic techniques to characterise the main organic functional groups and their applications in research
Required reading
The idea of this lecture course is to introduce you to key concepts in chemistry, providing a greater understanding of how the world works on a fundamental level. There is no required reading as the course is self-contained. However, you would certainly benefit from reading the Chemistry books below:
Chang, Raymond and Goldsby, Kenneth, General Chemistry: The Essential Concepts
(McGraw Hill, 2013)
Houk, Clifford, C and Post, Richard, Chemistry: Concepts and Problems: A Self-Teaching
Guide (Jossey-Bass, 2020) ISBN 9781119632566
