BELLARMINE COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
CHEM217
INTERMEDIATE CHEMISTRY II: SYNTHESIS
SPRING 2000
SYLLABUS
Instructor: Dr. Graham W. L. Ellis, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Office: P-255A
Contact: (email), 452-8218 (tel), 452-8055 (fax)
Office Hours: Open; if I am in and my door is open, please feel free to drop by
Lecture: CHEM217F, MWF, 1:00-1:50, P-207
Pre-Lab: CHEM297G, M, 2:00 - 3:00, P-207
Laboratory: CHEM297QR, T, 12:30 - 4:30, P-263
CHEM297QS, Th, 12:30 - 4:30, P-263
TEXT (lecture): Integrated Chemistry Volume 2, Rettich, Bailey, Frank, & Frick; Houghton Mifflin, 1999.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
"A continuation of CHEM216 that shows how individual chemical reactions can be coupled in the synthesis of compounds. Strategies for synthesizing complex inorganic and organic compounds will be developed. An introduction to biochemistry will also be given." This is the course description as it appears in the 1997-99 Bellarmine College Catalog. Pretty dry stuff, eh? All will become clearer (we hope!) once you have read the following section.
COURSE STRUCTURE AND OBJECTIVES
The CHEM216/217 sequence comprises the second half of the new 2-year lower division chemistry curriculum at Bellarmine. You have already completed the first three-quarters of that curriculum, namely the CHEM116/117 sequence and CHEM216. In CHEM116 Introductory Chemistry I: STRUCTURE you explored the structure of matter and how that structure is determined using chromatographic (TLC, GC, and HPLC) and spectroscopic techniques (MS, NMR, and IR). Emphasis was placed on the 3-dimensional geometry of inorganic and organic compounds, including stereochemistry. We also introduced the classification of chemical reactions. The primary focus of CHEM117 Introductory Chemistry II: BONDING was the nature of the chemical bond. You were introduced to the various models chemists use to describe the influence of atomic structure on bonding, with an emphasis on the valence bond and quantum mechanical models. We also explored acid-base theory and the states of matter. You have just completed CHEM216 Intermediate Chemistry I: REACTIVITY. The key concepts from this course include free energy, equilibria, conformational analysis, kinetics, quantitative acid-base chemistry, kinetics, and mechanisms. You are expected to retain your understanding of these concepts and be able to apply them in new settings. It is important to understand that CHEM217 builds on the prior courses and that your success (or lack of same) is highly dependent onunderstanding, and being able to use, the key concepts from the first three courses. For example, while it is perfectly natural (and expected) that you will need to refresh your skills in NMR and IR spectroscopy, you don't have the time to relearn these subjects.
The overarching theme for CHEM217 Intermediate Chemistry II is SYNTHESIS. In this course we will add to the repertoire of organic and inorganic reactions both mechanistically and synthetically. This repertoire of reactions will serve as the building blocks for the multi-step synthesis of a vast array of complex chemical compounds. We will develop strategies that will allow you to carry out these syntheses (at least on paper - doing the chemistry successfully in the lab is another matter altogether!). We will add to your understanding of the quantum mechanical underpinnings of chemistry. We will explore biochemical catalysis and introduce you to the wonderful world of polymers. Please note that we won't cover Chapter 10 (Chemical Bonding II). Concepts from this chapter will be covered in CHEM 309 - Inorganic Chemistry.
CHAPTER HEADINGS
1. SYNTHETIC EQUILIBRIA (Chapter 5)
2. MECHANISMS II - Substitution & Elimination (Chapter 8)
3. COMPLEX CHEMISTRY (Chapter 9)
4. CARBON AS NUCLEOPHILE (Chapter 11)
5. MOLECULAR ORBITALS (Chapter 12)
6. MULTI-STEP SYNTHESIS (Chapter 13)
7. NITROGEN CHEMISTRY (Chapter 14)
8. POLYMER CHEMISTRY (Chapter 15)
9. BIOCHEMISTRY (Chapter 16)
We will follow the order of chapters in the text, but please be aware that I will be using other materials to augment the text. These materials are referenced in the OTHER RESOURCES section below. Please also note that this section will be continually updated as we go through the semester. I will let you know in class when I am using additional materials and their source.
The objectives of CHEM217 are:
· To be able to predict the reaction products arising from the treatment of molecules with a variety of reagents and the way in which bonds are made and broken to bring about product formation in these reactions.
· To be able to design a multi-step synthesis of a wide variety of compounds.
· To be able to assign the orbital description of any given compound.
· To be able to demonstrate knowledge of biochemical catalysis.
· To continue to show sufficient facility with the notation of chemistry to communicate this knowledge (understand and answer questions, look things up, write reports, etc.).
In addition, CHEM217 also fulfils, in part, the following general education requirements (see p45 of the College Catalog):
3. Scientific Knowledge
6. Quantitative Literacy
7. Thinking Skills
8. Communication Skills
ONLINE RESOURCES
These may be accessed through the CHEM217 web page.
GENERAL REFERENCES
These are, for the most part, general chemistry and organic chemistry textbooks. I have included several of each. They are particularly good examples, but any general chemistry and organic chemistry text will do. Try and use the latest edition if at all possible.
General Chemistry:
1. CHEMISTRY, Raymond Chang, McGraw-Hill
2. GENERAL CHEMISTRY, Darrell Ebbing, Houghton Mifflin
3. CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL REACTIVITY, Kotz and Treichel, Saunders
4. THE CHEMICAL WORLD, John Moore at al, Saunders
Organic Chemistry
1. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Paula Bruice, Prentice Hall
2. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Marc Loudon, Benjamin Cummings
3. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, John McMurry, Brooks/Cole
4. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Marye Anne Fox and Jim Whitesell, Jones and Bartlett
SPECIFIC REFERENCES
These are grouped according to chapter headings from the text. See course web site
GRADE DETERMINATION - The overall grade for the course is allocated as follows:
EXAMS 50%
ASSIGNMENTS 10%
QUIZZES 15%
LABORATORY 25% (see separate syllabus)
Grades will be earned according to the following weightings (in %):
A 90 100
B 75 89
C+ 70 74
C 55 69
D 45 54
F 0 44
EXAMS
Three midterm exams will be held throughout the semester during a Monday pre-lab (dates below; note: all midterm exam dates are subject to change with the prior approval of the class).
1st Midterm 2/7/00 10%
2nd Midterm 3/6/00 10%
3rd Midterm 4/10/00 10%
Final 5/3/00 20% (Wednesday, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.)
Illness (verified by a physician's note) and intercollegiate sports events are the only permitted excuses for missing an exam. Should either of these excuses apply to you, you will be required to make up the missed exam within one week. Exams and answer keys will be posted in the EXAMS section of the CHEM217 web page.
CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
Problems will be assigned eight times over the semester on Wednesdays (see schedule below). Like the traditional homework assignments, these will be handed in a week later. However, I will not grade the assignments. Instead, we (or should I say you) will go over the problems in class. . You will be divided into teams of 4 for these assignments. Two teams will present their work each week (see schedule). Each team, regardless of whether they are presenting or not, is expected to have worked on the problems prior to the in-class discussion. At the end of the class, each team will hand in their notes for the assigned problems. Each team will receive a full grade assuming that each problem has been attempted and that teams have worked apart from other teams. This is your time to learn how to solve problems. Class assignment answer sets will be posted on the web site within a couple of days of the class discussion.
OUT IN-CLASS PRESENTING
(via web site) DISCUSSION TEAMS
ONE 1/12/00 1/19/00 1,8
TWO 1/19/00 1/26/00 2,7
THREE 2/9/00 2/16/00 3,6
FOUR 2/16/00 2/23/00 4,5
FIVE 2/23/00 3/1/00 8,1
SIX 3/22/00 3/29/00 7,2
SEVEN 3/29/00 4/5/00 6,3
EIGHT 4/12/00 4/26/00 5,4
QUIZZES
A quiz covering the prior week's material will be given on those Monday's during pre-lab when there is not an exam scheduled (starting 1/24/00). Answers to quizzes will be posted in the QUIZZES section of the course's web site.
ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to attend all classes unless the instructor has been otherwise notified. Excessive absences from classes invariably result in poor grades. As noted below, this is not an easy course to catch up on. If you know you will be unable to attend a particular class, please let me know. I, of course, will extend the same courtesy to you.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Collaborative learning is acceptable, even encouraged (see STUDY STRATEGIES below), but plagiarism is strictly forbidden. This applies to the class assignment teamwork in particular. The penalties described in the Undergraduate Catalog will be applied.
STUDY STRATEGIES
Many students find this to be a difficult course that demands a great deal of time. Be prepared to work hard. To help you do well in this course, I have outlined a few basic study strategies that you should find useful.
· Do the work! In order to do well in this course, to understand the material, you must do the reading, complete the classroom assignments, work through the problems at the end of each chapter, and attend every class session.
· Allow yourself enough time to do the work. It is a good rule of thumb to devote at least two (2) hours outside class for every hour spent in class. You might find it very helpful to set up a schedule and then to stick to it.
· Don't fall behind! We all procrastinate, myself included. Keep ahead of what is happening in class. This is a very difficult course in which to catch up.
· Get help when you need it. By keeping ahead of the material and doing the work, you will be able to identify those areas you are having trouble with and get timely help.
· Understand concepts; don't just memorize facts. Do not rely on memorization to get you through this course. If you understand the concepts, you should be able to do well on the exams. "How do I do that?" you ask. One method is to continually ask yourself at each step when solving a problem, "Why did I do that?" If you can answer these questions, then you should have no difficulty succeeding in this class.
· Participate in a study group. If you can't find one, organize one yourself. Develop a network of peers with whom you meet regularly to discuss chemistry concepts and problems. If you are struggling to understand the material, you will find it less frustrating and perhaps even fun to meet with other students.
· Attend problem sessions if offered. Upper division students will conduct weekly problem sessions. Attendance is optional, but many common problems students are having tend to be discussed during these sessions. Most students find attending these problem sessions to be of benefit.
· Ask questions constantly. Ask them in class, in problem sessions, ask other students, and ask the instructor. Don't be shy.