Course Description
Basic techniques for organic chemistry laboratory, with introduction of separation, characterization, and analysis of organic compounds including use of instrumental methods. To accompany CHE 351 for chemistry and biochemistry majors. Prerequisite: CHEM or BCHE major; previous credit for CHE 351 or concurrent enrollment in CHE 351.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Understand the common safety issues and hazards associated with organic chemicals and running organic chemistry experiments.
- Know how to find appropriate safety and physical data about known organic compounds.
- Learn how to keep reproducible experimental records in accordance with expected local standards.
- Be able to determine melting points and acquire IR spectra.
- Be able to successfully recrystallize and isolate organic compounds using simple or binary solvent systems.
- Be able to set-up simple and fractional distillations.
- Understand the basic process of running organic synthesis experiments. Plan, execute, workup, purify and analyze.
- Be able to summarize laboratory work in a formal report that includes an introduction with literature references and uses Chemdraw to draw clean structures in the ACS 1996 format.
- Be able to complete one or two step organic reactions in a timely manner. Be able to determine a reasonable work-up and purification approach to isolate a reaction product.
- Be able to calculate theoretical and experimental yields. Be able to speculate on reasons for poor reaction yields.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Homework, course assignments, lab reports and pre-lab assignments and quizzes | 90% |
| Lab Performance | 10% |
Grading Scale for the Course
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 92-100% | A |
| 90.5-91.9% | A– |
| 89-90.4% | B+ |
| 82-88.9% | B |
| 80.5-81.9% | B– |
| 79-80.4% | C+ |
| 72-78.9% | C |
| 70.5-71.9% | C– |
| 69-70.4% | D+ |
| 62-68.9% | D |
| 60-61.9% | D– |
| < 60% | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Attendance is required for all labs. We schedule to make-up labs during the regular class hours for missed labs. Unexcused labs will receive a score of zero points.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
- A basic composition notebook. These are typically on sale everywhere before the fall term. Cost: ~ 2 dollars or less.
- Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell? Fascinating Food Trivia Explained with Science / Andy Brunning (Softcover, ~ $15). Or access for free through the library. You can read the book online. https://login.libproxy.uncg.edu/login?url=http://www.uncg.eblib.com/EBLWeb/patron/?target=patron&extendedid=P_4419847_0
- Safety Goggles (buy from the bookstore or online)
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.