27542 - Analytical Chemistry 1

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows the principles of an analytical sequence; the main sampling techniques and sample treatments for solids, liquids, and gases; as well as the main analytical methods, i.e. gravimetry, acid-base titrations, spectrophotometry, and chromatography.

Course contents

Prerequisite:
No previous knowledge is required, except math and fundamentals of chemistry. Foreign students should master Italian (writing, speaking and listening) at a C1 level.

Students must attend Modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio] and Module 3 about safety and health in working premises. Dates and other information about Module 3 on web site of the course.

Program:

Notice: changes may occur due to public health emergency.

a) In-class exercises (24 hours - 2 Credits).
Students apply basic concepts (mole, equivalent, concentration, and dilution) to solve problems of analytical chemistry. Students are also requested to do some homework with subsequent correction during the class.

b) Lectures (24 hours - 3 Credits).
Definition of analytical chemistry. Outline of an analytical process. Fundamentals of statistics: average, standard deviation, correlation coefficient, significant figures. Methods for quantitative analysis: calibration line, internal standard, standard additions, internal normalization. Classical analytical methods. Sampling: water, air, soil. Sample preservation. In-situ analysis probes . On-site/on-line analysis of air and water. Sample preparation: milling, drying, filtering, concentrating. Use of an analytical scale. Weighing and related errors. Sample digestion (wet, microwaves, Kjeldahl). Solid-liquid extraction. Vapour current extraction. Soxhlet extraction. Accelerated solvent extraction. Ultrasound assisted extraction. Extraction with supercritical fluids. Percolation. Liquid-liquid extraction (theory, pH effect, use of chelating ligands, continuous extractors using solvents more/less dense than water, Lickens-Nickerson extractor).

Chemical Equilibrium. Systematic treatment of Equilibrium. Acid-base equilibria. Phase partition Equilibrium: application to partition chromatography. Fundamentals of chromatographic techniques (adsorption, partition, ion-exchange, affinity, size-exclusion) and detectors. Fundamentals of UV-visible spectroscopy: theory, transmittance, absorbance, Lambert-Beer equation. Lambert-Beer equation limits. Spectrophotometer scheme.

c) Laboratory experiments (16 hours - 1 Credit).
Students apply to experimental work some of the lecture subjects and stoichiometric exercises. He/she gets used to staying in a laboratory and manipulate basic chemical labware. At the end of each experiment, students write a report.

Readings/Bibliography

Daniel C. Harris, QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS, 9th Ed., W.H. Freeman and Co., NY, 2016.

I. Bertini, C. Luchinat, F. Mani STECHIOMETRIA. UN AVVIO ALLO STUDIO DELLA CHIMICA, V Ed., Casa Editrice Ambrosiana (distribuzione esclusiva Zanichelli), 2009.

R. Cozzi, P. Protti, T. Ruaro, ELEMENTI DI ANALISI CHIMICA STRUMENTALE, II Ed., Zanichelli, 2013.

APAT, Manuale per le Indagini Ambientali nei Siti Contaminati, APAT Manuali e Linee Guida 43, 2006 (disponibile in rete).

Teaching methods

Notice: changes in teaching methods and laboratory classes may occur due to public health emergency.

The course comprises in-class excercises (24 hours), lectures (24 hours) and laboratory experiments (16 hours). The excercises consist of stoichiometric calculations. During the lectures, the principles of an analytical sequence will be explained. In the laboratory classes, the students will apply some of the analytical techniques and stoichiometric calculations which have learned during the lectures. Practice on stoichiometry takes place at the beginning of the course; lectures take place in the second part of the course; laboratory takes place in May.

Assessment methods

Notice: changes in the assessment methods may occur due to public health emergency.

As of today, exams are in written form on EOL, in presence.

Please check in Almaesami the dates when you can register for the exam: it is not possible to register after the closing date.

Admission to final exam and/or to intermediate tests.

Laboratory attendance is mandatory. In order to be admitted to final exam or intermediate tests, students must:

a. have attended all laboratory experiments;

b. have handed over all the experimental reports within the set deadline (i.e., during the subsequent experience, unless longer terms are granted in due time).

Students who fail to comply with the above conditions cannot register for the test and/or regular exam. 

 

Exams.

Exams include (A) a written stoichiometry test and (B) a written test on laboratory experiments and theoretical aspects discussed during the lectures. Part (A) is made of numerical excercises scored with 15 points max. Part (B) is made of numerical and open questions scored with a maximum of 15 points. The final score is obtained by summing the two scores. Excercises and open questions are evaluated by taking into account the correctness of the results, the procedure and the completeness of the answer. Part (B) is evaluated if part (A) score is equal or better than 9. The exam is passed when both parts are scored equal or better than 9.

Students may reject a pass score (equal or better than 18/30) one time only.

 

Teaching tools

Blackboard; power-point and other similar softwares; instruments which can be studied and/or used in laboratory.

Teaching materials published on virtuale.unibo.it web site. Please check lesson and announcement spaces.

Office hours

See the website of Guido Galletti