SPECTROSCOPY AND PRACTICE

The course is part of the interdisciplinary educational activities of Bachelor's degree in Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies. The objective of the course is to provide the fundamentals of ultraviolet-visible, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, especially about the interpretation of spectra. This knowledge is very important for chemistry graduates both from a practical and a theoretical point of view.

The expected learning outcomes are the knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of the spectroscopic techniques considered in the course and the ability to interpret the main spectral characteristics of some classes of organic compounds; in addition, the students must be able to communicate the acquired knowledge and the results of their application using appropriate terminology.

The prerequisites of the course are the training objectives of Organic Chemistry 1 and Laboratory course. In particular, students should know nomenclature, structure and properties of the main classes of organic compounds.

The course contents are divided into three parts corresponding to the three spectroscopic techniques discussed: ultraviolet-visible (Uv-Vis) spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. For each type of spectroscopy, the chemical-physical principles will be illustrated, and the commonly used instrumentation will be briefly described; finally, the spectral characteristics of some classes of organic compounds will be examined and exercises concerning the interpretation of spectra will be carried out. The first lesson is devoted to a brief presentation of the course and an introduction to spectroscopy; in the last lesson some problems like those proposed as a written test will be solved.

Presentation of the course. Electromagnetic radiation and the electromagnetic spectrum. Energy states of a free molecule and population levels.

FIRST PART: ULTRAVIOLET-VISIBLE SPECTROSCOPY
Introduction. Examples of Uv-Vis spectra. Instrumentation. Lambert-Beer Law. Types of electronic transitions. Chromophores and auxochromes. Characteristic absorption bands of some classes of organic compounds. Exercises on Uv-Vis absorption bands.

SECOND PART: INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY
Introduction. The vibration of diatomic molecules, the harmonic oscillator model and the anharmonicity. The vibrations of polyatomic molecules: normal modes, vibrational transitions and corresponding absorption bands. Fermi resonance. Instrumentation and sample handling. General considerations about infrared spectra and absorption bands. Interpretation of infrared spectra. Characteristic IR absorption bands of some classes of organic compounds. Exercises on the interpretation of infrared spectra.


THIRD PART: NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY
Physical principle of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Basic NMR technique. The chemical shift and the delta scale. The origin of shielding constants. Approximate determination of the chemical shift. Spin-spin coupling and the coupling constants. AnXm spin systems. The intensity distribution of the multiplet lines. Pople notation. AB, AA'XX', AA'BB' and AmMnXo spin systems. Protons on oxygen and nitrogen atoms. Coupling of protons to 13C and 19F nucleus. Exercises on proton NMR spectroscopy.

Exercises on the spectroscopic identification of organic compounds.

For the theory:
• P. Atkins, J. De Paula, J. Keeler. Atkins’ Physical Chemistry, 11th Edition, Oxford University Press, 2018.

For spectral theory and interpretation:
• R. M. Silverstein, F. X. Webster, D. J. Kiemle, D. L. Bryce. Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds, Eight Edition, Wiley, New York, 2015.
• R. M. Silverstein, C. G. Bassler, T. C. Morrill. Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds, fifth ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1991.
• D. W. Mayo, F. A. Miller, R. W. Hannah. Course notes on the interpretation of infrared and Raman spectra, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, 2004.

The learning verification method consists in a written and an oral test.

The written test aims to verify the acquisition of the concepts presented during the lessons and their practical application. It consists of identifying two unknown organic compounds based on their spectra and other spectroscopic data. To be admitted to the oral test, students must identify at least one of the compounds. To aspire to a final grade higher than 25/30, both unknown molecules must be identified. The written exam lasts one hour, and the use of notes and books is allowed.

The oral test consists of a series of questions regarding the course content, with one or two questions for each spectroscopic technique covered in class. Students must demonstrate their understanding of the topics and their ability to present them formally. The oral examination lasts about 30 minutes.

Teaching is organized in lectures, including problem-solving exercises.

In the "Moodle" platform of the University there are all the slides projected during the lessons.

Italian

STRUCTURE AND CONTENT OF THE COURSE COULD CHANGE AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC.

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion

Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments:
Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). In the case of disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

written and oral