- Docente: Andrea Milelli
- Credits: 8
- SSD: CHIM/08
- Language: English
- Moduli: Andrea Milelli (Modulo 1) Andrea Milelli (Modulo 2)
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
- Campus: Rimini
- Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Pharmacy (cod. 9078)
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to provide theoretical and practical knowledge about the different methods for the identification of drug substances. In particular, attention will be paid to the identification methods (both chemical and instrumental) prescribed by the European Pharmacopoeia. The course includes laboratory activity.
Course contents
Introduction: Program and aims of the course. The European Pharmacopoeia.
Solubility. Solubility of inorganic salts, solubility product and chemical equilibrium shift. Dissolution process of organic substances, solvent properties (polarity, dielectric constant), relationships between chemical structure of solute and solubility. Solubility assays.
Chemical analysis of drugs. Qualitative elemental analysis: combustion assay and Lassaigne's assay. Analysis of inorganic substances: recognition reactions of cations (silver, mercury, bismuth, copper, aluminum, iron, zinc, calcium, barium, magnesium, sodium, lithium, potassium, ammonium ion) and anions (chlorides, bromides, iodides, acetates, sulfates, phosphates, carbonates and bicarbonates, nitrates). Flame assay. Analysis of functional groups of organic substances: reactions of analytical utility for alkenes, aromatic systems, alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, ketones, amines, acids and derivatives.
Determination of physical constants. Boiling point, melting point, density, refractive index, specific rotational power.
Spectroscopic techniques. UV-Visible Spectroscopy: applications to molecule-drug characterization. Infrared Spectroscopy: principles, instrumentation, interpretation of IR spectra of compounds of pharmaceutical interest. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy: principles and applications.
Extractive techniques. Liquid-solid extraction, liquid-liquid extraction (partition coefficient, effect of pH and electrolytes).
Introduction to chromatographic techniques. The chromatographic process. Chromatographic separation mechanisms (adsorption, partitioning, ion exchange, molecular exclusion, affinity). Column and thin layer chromatography (TLC).
The course will include single-seat laboratory exercises related to the program topics.
Teaching methods
The course includes theoretical lessons and laboratory practice and attendance is mandatory for both.
As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] online, while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme
Assessment methods
At the end of the laboratory practice, the student should sit for a test consisting in the application of the pharmacopoeial methods to identify two drugs and in writing a report for each of them.
The final test consists of an oral examination regarding the topics covered during the course.
Teaching tools
Lessons will be held by using slides. The laboratory practice will be carried out individually by each student in laboratories.
Office hours
See the website of Andrea Milelli