00088 - Chemistry

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows the structure of the matter and the thermodynamic and kinetic principles governing its transformation and is able to understand the structural and functional properties of molecules involved in elemental cycles in the agro-environmental biosphere

Course contents

The course is divided into 2 modules held by Prof. Enrico Rampazzo:
Chemistry - 6 credits module (60 hours),
Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry (Module 2) - 2 credits (20 hours)

The following program will be covered

Introduction
Limitations of experimental measurements.
Chemical classification of matter: substances and mixtures - elements and compounds - homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. Atoms, atomic symbols, atomic and mass numbers, isotopes, ions.

The atom
Atomic Theory - Composition of atoms, atomic and mass numbers - Isotopes and atomic weight - Atom structure: Bohr's model - The wave's nature of matter: particle duality. The atomic structure and quantum theories of quantum theory - atomic orbitals, quantum numbers, spin. - Orbital in polyelectronic atoms and fill order - Electronic element configurations. - Periodic Table: relationship with electronic configurations - ionization energies; Electronic affinities; Atomic dimensions and their periodic performance

Compounds
Molecular and molecular formulas - Valence; Degree of oxidation and its determination. Nomenclature. Lewis structures of molecules and polyatomic ions (formal charge). - Molecular geometry in relation to structural formulas (VSEPR method) - Predictions on molecules polarity according to geometry and electronegativity - Resonance - Isomers - Molecular weight and formula weight - Molecules, Avogadro number and number of moles;

Chemical bond
General concepts - Ionic bond: reticular energy and crystal lattice; Stoichiometry of ionic compounds. Covalent bonds: Valence Bond theory and theories about molecular orbital theory. Molecular Geometry and Lewis Structures, Hybridization.
Non-Covalent Molecular Interactions: Van der Waals, London, Hydrogen bonds. Introduction to the metallic bond.

Aggregation states
Aggregation states: general properties of solids, liquids and gases. Relationship between P, T and V in gases; Theoretical model of gases; State equation. Deviations from the ideal gas law - Mixtures of ideal gases; Partial Pressures - solid-liquid-gas phases changes - State Diagrams.

Solutions
Generalities - Methods for indicating the concentration of a chemical species: percent by weight and volume, molar fraction, molarity, molality, normality, and their conversion - Solubility and saturated solutions - Electrolytic solutions: strong and weak electrolytes; Degree of dissociation; van't Hoff coefficient - Ideal, diluted and concentrated solutions. - phase changes in liquid solutions: Raoult and Henry's laws - Osmosis and osmotic pressure. - Colligative properties and PM determination of solute; Stoichiometric calculations.

Chemical reactions
Chemical reactions and equations; Law of mass and charge conservation - REDOX reactions. - Reactions within a solution: ionic form of their equations - Weighting relationships in chemical reactions - Equivalent weights of oxidants, reducing agents, acids and bases - Stoichiometric calculations.

Thermodynamics
Introduction to Thermochemistry: reactions and heat (internal energy, enthalpy), entropy and its meaning, spontaneous reactions (entropy, free energy), calculation of thermodynamic quantities, change of free energy during the course of a reaction.

Chemical kinetics
Introduction to Chemical Kinetics: reaction speed; Kinetic equations; Reaction order; Kinetic constants and factors influencing them. - Reaction mechanisms and elementary stages. Activated complex, activation energy - homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis.

Chemical equilibria
Complete and incomplete reactions; Chemical equilibrium - reaction quotient; Law of mass action; Equilibrium constant - homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibria. Solubility and solubility product. - Effect of pressure, volume, quantity of reagents and products - heat and temperature effects on the equilibrium - Le Chatelier Principle. - Simultaneous equilibria - stoichiometric calculations.

Acids and bases
Proton theory of acids and bases; conjugated acids and bases. water ionic product. - acids and bases strength: Ka and Kb and classifications. Polyprotic Acids and bases. - Relationship between molecular structure and acid-base properties. Acid-base properties of ions. - Acidity and basicity of aqueous solutions: pH and pOH. - Acid and base reactions. Acidity and basicity of salt solutions. Reactions between acids and salts or bases and salts. - Properties of buffer solutions - Stoichiometric calculations.

Principles of Inorganic chemistry
Introduction to periodic properties (electronic configuration, major degrees of oxidation, electronegativity). Acid-base and redox properties of the main elements.
Introduction to coordination compounds.

Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry - Biomolecular Chemistry
Methods for the representation of the structures of organic compounds.
Summary of orbital, electronic structure, chemical bond, polarity and electronegativity. Carbon hybridization and hybridization concepts.
Acids and bases according to Lewis, nucleophiles and electrophiles.
The main classes of organic compounds and the main functional groups will be described briefly with their nomenclature: hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes, alkenes, aromatic compounds), alcohols and phenols, thiols, halides, halides, amines, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives (Esters, amides, anhydrides, acyl halides).
polarity and acid-base properties of the main functional groups. Relationship between polarity and acidity properties of simple organic molecules.
Introduction to the fundamental units, structure and properties of some biomolecules: amino acids, peptide bonds and proteins, enzymes and their function. Lipids, fat, oils, soaps. Phospholipids. Steroids. Organic membranes.
Notes on the composition and structure of wood and humic acids.
Cycles of the main elements of biological interest: C, N, O, S, P

Readings/Bibliography

Any UNIVERSITY textbook dedicated to the first level of General Chemistry is suitable for studying the course.

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures, with power point slides. Time / program permitting will be assessed the possibility of using movies and / or simple experimental demonstrations in the classroom.
Exercises: execution of exercises on the board, , with emphasis related to exam exercises.

Assessment methods

Written test of 2 hours and 30 minutes. The examination will consist of:
- three numerical exercises (balance of a reduction reaction and stoichiometric calculations - limiting reagent, acid-base equilibrium, colligative properties, solubility): up to 6 points per exercise.
- Four questions about the whole program, two of which refer to Module 2 (Basics of Organic Chemistry - Chemistry of Biomolecules), some examples: molecular geometry of simple molecules or ions obtained by means of VSEPR method, electrolytes and colligative properties, definitions and brief descriptions of theoretical arguments, description of the polarity properties of simple organic molecules, nomenclature exercise on an organic compound, also of stereoisomers with one stereo center, identification of the main functional groups within an organic molecule: up to 3 points per exercise.
The written test will be passed with a > 18/30 score. Students who wish to improve the outcome of the written test may have an oral exam that will cover the topics presented during the course.

Students admitted to the examination need to prove their identity with an identity document with photograph.

During the written test is allawed: 1) the use of a periodic table of elements which does not contain indications on the nomenclature of ions and oxyacids; 2) a scientific calculator. The use of textbooks, notes, dispensers is NOT allowed.

THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES (TABLETS, etc.) WILL STRYCTLY FORBIDDEN DURING THE TEST.

Teaching tools

Video projectors, blackboard.
Distribution of additional material (photocopies) and the possibility of downloading the lesson files from the site containing the teaching material of the teacher.

Office hours

See the website of Enrico Rampazzo