Instructor
Frank Ow, Lecturer, UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, fow@chem.ucla.edu
Coursework Prerequisite
Integrated Math 1
Course Preferences
Conceptual physics and prior laboratory experience.
Significant resources go into the laboratory synthesis, including compounds used in everyday products like household cleaners, food additives, personal care products, and medications. But how do scientists confirm the identity of the final product? How can they be sure of the product’s chemical structure? With millions of compounds known to exist, what processes are used to determine the chemical identity of a compound?
This course has two objectives.
- Topics from general and organic chemistry required for understanding structural determination will be covered.
- Students will get substantial laboratory exposure focusing on analytical and characterization techniques used for structure elucidation. Some synthesis may also be involved.
Course Description
Chemical Principles Applied to Chemical Structure
Before covering analytical and characterization techniques used for structure determination, it is necessary to understand relevant chemical principles. Topics such as atomic structure, introductory quantum theory, chemical bonding and structures of inorganic and of organic compounds, as well as properties of acids and bases will be covered. Laboratory periods will include both dry- and wet-lab activities.
Analytical and Characterization Methods for Structure Determination
Students will be introduced to common analytical and characterization techniques used for structure determination. The curriculum from Chemical Principles Applied to Chemical Structure will be heavily built upon. Acid-base titration, colorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography will be covered. Compounds will either be provided to or synthesized by students.
Final Project
Students will determine the structure of an unknown compound given a list of candidates. All laboratory techniques previously learned will be utilized to physically and chemically characterize the compound to reach a conclusion of its identity.
Possible Field Trips
JPL, UCLA CNSI, UCLA Molecular Instrumentation Center, UCLA Materials Characterization Lab, Grace F. Napolitano Pure Water Southern California Innovation Center, Cal State LA Forensic Science Institute, UCLA Olympic Analytical Lab, Mount Wilson Observatory, HRL Laboratories