20806218Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Course Information
Description
This course would fulfill the laboratory portion of the two-semester organic chemistry course offered at UW-Madison and other major universities. Topics covered will include basic organic laboratory techniques, including correct documentation of work in a laboratory notebook, thin layer chromatography, distillation, recrystallization, microscale reactions, and separations. It will also include various characterization techniques, including NMR, IR, gas chromatography, melting point determination, and refractometry. Lastly, it will cover many of the basic organic transformations covered in most basic organic chemistry lecture courses, including:  substitution and elimination reactions, esterification, and a multi-step synthesis. This course will also include a presentation component.
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. Document every lab experiment in a standard format in a lab notebook
    Assessment Strategies
    Product
    Criteria
    the notebook contains an index
    each experiment completed is documented
    each experiment's report is complete (contains all the important sections outlined in the notebook guideline document)
    each of the sections in each report is substantive and accurate
    the information given in the notebook can be used by another individual with comparable experience as you in organic chemistry to replicate the experiment and to observe similar results to yours

  2. Identify structures of unknown chemicals using IR spectroscopy
    Assessment Strategies
    Report
    Criteria
    report includes a complete, accurate and specific title
    report includes peaks labeled with relevant molecular vibrations
    report includes the proposed structure as shown on the spectrum
    report includes a database match, along with % similarity
    report includes the highlighted matching peaks in the database match
    report includes a statement whether the IR results indicate whether or not the objective of the experiment was met
    you document the experiment in a lab notebook

  3. Identify structures of solids using melting point analysis
    Assessment Strategies
    Report
    Criteria
    document literature value for melting point of pure substance
    collect the melting point of a product produced in lab by correctly using the melting point apparatus
    compare the measured value to the literature value of the melting point
    determine the relative purity of the substance
    report includes a statement whether the melting point results indicate whether or not the objective of the experiment was met
    you document the experiment in a lab notebook

  4. Separate components from a liquid mixture using various distillation techniques
    Assessment Strategies
    Report
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    correctly set up a distillation apparatus
    separate components of a mixture using distillation
    utilize characterization methods (such as NMR, IR, TLC) to confirm identity and purity of isolated components from the mixture
    write a procedure for how to separate components of a mixture in lab manual
    you document the experiment in a lab notebook

  5. Separate components of a solid mixture using thin layer chromatography (TLC)
    Assessment Strategies
    Report
    Product
    Criteria
    identify components of a TLC experiment: stationary phase, mobile phase, etc.
    measure retardation factor (Rf) of various samples
    record complete TLC results in laboratory notebook
    you document the experiment in a lab notebook

  6. Identify an unknown chemical using refractometry
    Assessment Strategies
    Performance
    Report
    Criteria
    student prepares sample for use in refractometer
    student operates refractometer to measure the index of refraction of his/her sample
    student compares obtained result to literature values to confirm the identity of the unknown
    you document the experiment in a lab notebook

  7. Identify components of a mixture using gas chromatography
    Assessment Strategies
    Report
    Criteria
    prepare sample for injection into the gas chromatograph
    operate the gas chromatograph instrument
    compare obtained retention times of mixture components with literature values to determine the identity of the mixture components
    you document the experiment in a lab notebook

  8. Evaluate the purity of a final purified sample chemical
    Assessment Strategies
    Product
    Report
    Criteria
    determine what analysis method(s) is/are appropriate for the given sample
    quantitatively report the purity level of the sample, citing analysis results
    you document the experiment in a lab notebook

  9. Present a scientific poster
    Assessment Strategies
    Presentation
    Drawing/Illustration
    Criteria
    you create a professional-looking poster to accompany the presentation
    you use correct terminology when describing experiments and organic chemistry concepts
    your analysis of the data from the experiment accurately represents organic chemistry concepts
    your presentation includes a conclusion based on the data obtained in the experiment