66684 - Analytical Chemistry and Laboratory

Academic Year 2017/2018

  • Moduli: Domenica Tonelli (Modulo 1) Domenica Tonelli (Modulo 2) Isacco Gualandi (Modulo 3)
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2) Traditional lectures (Modulo 3)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Industrial Chemistry (cod. 8513)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is able to understand the principles defining analytical chemistry from the point of view of the "problem solving" approach. Furthermore, he has acquired knowledge as to: chemical equilibria in solution with particular attention to the simultaneous ones with the aim of carrying out simple qualitative tests and of defining the optimal conditions for a reaction to occur; volumetric and gravimetric quantitative determinations; standard analysis procedures, understanding and development of a SOP; statistical treatment of the data and significance tests for the final evaluation of analytical data; potentiometry and its applications.
Moreover the student is able to draw up an analysis certificate.

Course contents

Fundamentals of statistics in analytical chemistry. Quality of analytical data. Significant figures. Sources of uncertainty. Errors in chemical analysis. Gross, systematic and random errors. Accuracy and precision. Propagation of errors. Methods for reporting analytical data. Significance tests: Student's t. Test for evaluating accuracy. Test for evaluating precision. Comparison of two experimental means.

Acids and bases in water. Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry and Lewis theories. Strength of acids and bases. Polyfunctional acids and bases. Ampholytes. Buffer solutions. Systematic approach to the chemical equilibria. pH calculations. Acid-base titrations methods for estimating thre equivalent point. Titration error.
Solubility equilibria. Solubility as a function of pH. Precipitation titrations.

Complex formation. Complexation as a function of pH. Conditional and thermodynamic constants. Solubility as a function of complexation. Complexometric titrations. EDTA and analytical applications. Interferences and masking.

Redox equilibria in homogeneous phase. Electrochemical cells. Influence of pH, solubility and complex formation on redox potential. Stability of redox systems in water. E/pH diagrams. Redox titrations.

Potenziometry. Direct and indirect measurements. Indicator and reference electrodes. Ion selective electrodes. Potentiometric titrations.

Application of analytical methods to the solution of real problems.

 

Laboratory course:

Frontal lessons

Tracking laboratory activity. The volumetric glassware: characteristics and use. Practical features of volumetric titrations: determination of endpoint by means of indicators or graphical and numerical methods. Primary standards. Error treatment. Practical features of gravimetry. Introduction to potentiometry

Lab activity

Preparation of solutions. Qualitative analysis: anions and cations identification.  Acid-base titrations: standardisation of HCl and NaOH solutions; determination of the titer  of unknown solutions. Redox, precipitatin and complexometric titrations: determination of the titer of unknown solutions.  Potentiometric titrations.

 

Numerical exercises

Besides the laboratory experiments the students will have to conduct the statistical treatment of the experimental data obtained during their Lab activity. Furthermore, the students have to compile their own laboratory notebook, recording their activity and results.

 

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

D.C. Harris, Chimica Analitica Quantitativa, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2017.

V. Di Marco, D. Pastore , G.G. Bombi, Chimica Analitica, Trattazione algebrica e grafica degli equilibri chimici in soluzione acquosa,Edises, Napoli, 2015.

D.A. Skoog, D.M. West, F.J. Holler, S.R. Crouch, Fondamenti di Chimica Analitica. EdiSES, Napoli, 2015.

D.S. Hage, J.D. Carr, Chimica Analitica e Analisi Quantitativa, Piccin, Padova, 2012.

Teaching methods

Lectures integrated by exercises related to the discussed topics. It is encouraged individual study on text books and team-discussion on the arguments under study. The Course is integrated with that of laboratory work. Theory and laboratory work must co-exist since practice not only develops the capability of the student to think but also to act independently.

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning takes place through a final written exam. The score is integrated with that obtained for the Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry course (only one final mark).

The final score comes from the weighed average of the marks scored in the written exam (expressed out of 30 with the passing score as 18) and the overall evaluation of the Lab activity which is also based on the score coming from a final experimental test (expressed out of 30).

The written test  consists of two parts: the first part is based on "preliminary questions" (maximum 5 exercises and/or multiple-choice questions) concerning basic knowledge and ability to be considered as a requirement for the understanding of the course content. The second part is based on "open questions " related to the knowledge and understanding of the topics and content of the theoretical and Lab courses.

It is essential to answer correctly at least 70% of the "preliminary questions" in order to appear for the second part.

The duration of the final test is about 3 hours.

Use of textbooks,  and notes (or slides) taken during classes is prohibited during the test. It is compulsory to  bring  a calculator for the exam (the ones available in tablets or mobile phones are not allowed) and the required stationay (pencils, set square, rubber and pencil sharpener) to draw graphical plots.

The material on which the exam would be written (paper sheets and graph papers) shall be provided by the Teacher.

Once the exam is passed, its validity lasts only for 2 successive exam tests unless the student appears again for the written exam before the validity ends and delivers the new written paper elaborate to the teacher to be corrected.

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Teaching tools

Lectures and class-room activities are carried out with the help of transparencies and video-projection. Laboratories, software for data treatment, experiences booklet.

The teaching material is available to the students. The experimental work will be carried out in the analytical Laboratory.

Office hours

See the website of Domenica Tonelli

See the website of Isacco Gualandi