Fall 2006 Advance Course Information

This information effective for Fall 2006. Check with instructor the first day of class for any changes.

Chemistry and Biochemistry

[CHEM-146A]

146A. Advanced Laboratory in Organic Chemistry.

Instructor: Rebecca Braslau
Instruction: Tuesday, Thursday, 1:00-5:00 p.m., Thimann 249
Office: Thimann 337
Telephone: 459-3087
E-mail: braslau@chemistry.ucsc.edu
Office Hours: 1:30-3:30 Wednesday

Teaching Assistant: TBA
Office: Physical Sciences Building 395
Telephone: 459-3663
E-mail: TBA@chemistry.ucsc.edu

Lab Check-in is on Sept. 21 at 1:00 pm: please arrive on time to secure your enrollment in class!

Course Description

Prerequisite: successful completion of the Chemistry 108 (A,B, L and M) or Chemistry 112 (A,B,C,L,M and N) series with a grade of B or better, or consent of instructor. You MUST have an understanding of the fundamentals of organic chemistry: both mechanism and spectroscopy to pass this class.

Required Assignments:  There will be two written assignments to be done in a professional, complete manner. More details will be made available in class.  There are two distinct laboratory experiments to be completed.

Tentative Schedule:
1.  Qualitative Organic Analysis: a Two Day Experiment
        A number of standard qualitative tests indicative of specific organic functional groups will be carried out on a series of known compounds.  In this portion of the experiment, students will work in pairs.  Following this, each student will work independently to identify two unknowns following a flowchart utilizing these qualitative tests.  The lab report will consist of a record of the results of the qualitative tests on the unknowns, identification of the unknowns, and a clear mechanistic discussion of how each of the 12 qualitative tests work.
         Due in class October 5, 2006 (one week after completion of the experiment!)

2. Identification of Three Unknowns
         Each student will be given a unique mixture of three organic unknowns, which will be separated by standard laboratory procedures.  After purification, each of the clean compounds will then be subjected to a variety of spectroscopic analyses (IR, 1H and 13C-NMR, etc.) outlined in class. The student should use this information to successfully identify each of them.  The lab report will consist of a record of the separation and purification schemes and yields obtained for each step, the fully assigned and interpreted spectra, and a discussion of the structural analysis. First draft is due Tuesday, November 28, although you are encouraged to turn it in earlier! Please have your report corrected for spelling and grammar (by someone else!) before you turn in your first draft. You should have the structures of all three unknowns proposed in your first draft.
         Final Version Due Monday December 4, 2006 before 12:00 noon (in Rebecca’s mailbox or office). Absolutely no reports will be accepted late!

3. Laboratory Notebook
         An up-to-date, current laboratory notebook should be kept while doing experiments.  The notebook will be checked periodically by the instructor or the T.A., and will be turned in on December 5 with the final assignment.

Grading:

Qualitative Analysis  100 pts
Identification of Three Unknowns 300 pts
Technical Skill/Lab Notebook (as evaluated by the instructor and TA) 100 pts

Note: Both assignments must be completed on time to pass the course!

No Make-up Laboratory Sessions will be arranged!

Absences: If you absolutely need to miss a lab, pre-arrange your absence with the Professor. The two day qualitative analysis experiment can not be postponed, however there is some flexibility in the unknown identification experiment. This does not mean that you are free to miss labs on a causal basis. Non-prearranged absences can be grounds for a No Pass or Fail in this class.

[top of page]