Module CHEM2012: CORE CHEMISTRY 2

Department: Chemistry

CHEM2012: CORE CHEMISTRY 2

Prerequisites

• Core Chemistry 1A (CHEM1012) AND A-level or approved equivalent in Mathematics.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Molecules in Action (CHEM1061)

Aims

• To teach the fundamentals of Chemistry and to provide a foundation on which later courses can be based.

Content

• Transition-metal chemistry.
• Symmetry, group theory and covalent bonding.
• Organic chemistry including Physical Organic Chemistry.
• Quantisation and spectroscopy.
• Thermodynamics.
• Applied spectroscopy.

Learning Outcomes

• Rationalize the bonding in transition metal complexes, and thus understand their formation and magnetic properties, and to utilize this information in a predictive manner.
• Describe key trends in the chemistry of the transition elements and use these trends as tools to assist in problem solving in any area of chemistry involving transition metals.
• Determine the symmetry elements and point groups of molecules.
• Use group theory to construct symmetry adapted linear combinations of atomic orbitals and then determine qualitative molecular orbital diagrams for simple molecules.
• Rationalize molecular shape and photoelectron spectra using symmetry and bonding arguments.
• Devise reasonable synthetic routes to moderately complex organic molecules.
• Describe and rationalize outcomes of organic reaction processes involving alkene generation, carbene insertion and ring formation by cycloadditions.
• Explain the application of molecular-orbital theory to unsaturated organic systems.
• Rationalize the outcome of organic reactions by means of kinetics and isotopic labelling experiments.
• Apply kinetics to complex reaction schemes and use linear free energy relationships to predict reactivity.
• Outline the basic principles of quantum mechanics and group theory and be able to apply these to simple systems to predict their structure and spectroscopy.
• Apply thermodynamics to predict values of equilibrium constants and the direction of spontaneous change of chemical reactions.
• Determine enthalpies from phase transition data.
• Calculate colligative properties (solubility, depressed freezing points) from pure component data.
• Apply thermodynamics to non-ideal systems of gases, gas mixtures, liquid mixtures, and solutions and calculate thermodynamic parameters from e.m.f. data.
• Know how to relate microscopic and macroscopic thermodynamic properties.

• Predict simple NMR spectra, and interpret infra-red, Raman and more complex multinuclear NMR spectra.

• Group working, encouraged and developed through workshop teaching.
• Written communication, advanced through the use of essay type questions in lecture-support worksheets.
• Problem-solving, developed through worksheets and spectroscopy problems sessions.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures are used to convey concepts and are examined by written papers. This is the best method to assess the knowledge of the students.
• Workshops are larger groups of students where problems are considered and common difficulties shared. This ensures that students have understood the work and can apply it to real life situations. These are formatively assessed.
• Computer classes give students the opportunity to learn to use off the shelf computer packages and those specific to chemists. They are formatively assessed.
• The collection held in January is for students to assess their own learning and performance to improve their examination technique. It is an opportunity for them to assimilate the work completed in the first term. Papers are returned to students with model answers so that they can learn from the experience.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Collection (a 2 hour exam in week 11). Set work.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University