610-122 Chemistry (Advanced Studies Program)

Credit cannot be gained for this subject and 610-142, 610-162 or 610-052

Chemistry 610-121, 610-141, 610-161 or 610-051. Entry to this subject will be by invitation.

On completion of 610-122 the student should have an understanding of reaction mechanisms; chemical transformation of organic compounds; organic chemical synthesis; intermolecular forces and the energetics and structures of solid state materials; and the structure and bonding of main group and transition elements and their important compounds.

In the practical component students should develop basic laboratory skills (observation, analytical techniques; report writing); oral communication skills; independent learning skills; appreciation of the importance of instrumental methods in chemistry; and an appreciation of the health and safety issues associated with the safe handling and disposal of laboratory chemicals.

The subject provides an introduction to physical properties and chemical reactions of organic compounds; reaction mechanisms and chemical equilibria; organic acids and bases; nucleophilic substitution (SN1 and SN2); elimination reactions (E1 and E2); electrophilic addition to alkenes; electrophilic aromatic substitution; nucleophilic addition and substitution to carbonyls; oxidation and reduction; radical addition, substitution and polymerisation reactions; structure and bonding of main group and transition elements and their important compounds; reactions involving solubility; pH equilibria and redox (reduction/oxidation); chemical, technology and analytical applications of electrochemistry; and the structure, applications and biological roles of transition metal coordination compounds.

A 3-hour written examination at the end of semester plus short tests and assignments (80%); practical work is continously assessed and represents 20% of the final assessment. Practical work must be completed satisfactorily before credit can be granted for the subject.

• S Zumdahl, Chemical Principles. 4th Edition. Houghton Mifflin 2002.
• J McMurry, Organic Chemistry. 5th edn, Brooks/Cole, 2000.