The aim of the Chemistry course is the knowledge of the chemical structure, the properties and the transformation of the different classes of substances (inorganic and organic) to understand the basic chemical properties and transformation of the molecules in living organisms.
General Chemistry
Elements and compounds. Atoms and molecules (symbolic chemistry; molecular formulas). Periodic system of the elements and electronic configuration; element valence and oxidation state.
Intramolecular bonds: nature and polarity; molecular shape (structural formulas). Intermolecular bonds. Inorganic compounds: binary compounds of hydrogen and compounds containing oxygen. Nomenclature of inorganic compounds. Electrolytes. Acid base reactions and formation of salts.
Aggregation states of the matter: definition of the solid state and description of the different types of crystalline solids. Definition of the liquid states. Vapor pressure and surface tension. Definition of gaseous state. A brief presentation of ideal gases' laws and the kinetic molecular theory of ideal gases.
Solutions: definition, different types and qualitative and quantitative characterization. Thermodynamical considerations on solubility. Colligative properties: depression of the vapor pressure of the solvent and osmotic pressure.
Thermodynamical chemistry: how spontaneously large is the degree of conversion reactants to products? Enthalpy, enthropy and free energy. Chemical equilibrium. Kinetics: Collision theory, steric requirements, energetic factor and influence of concentration and temperature. Activated complex theory and activation energy. Catalysis.
Acid–base equilibria: Broensted and Lowry's theory on acids and bases. Self-ionization of water. Definition of pH. Calculation of pH in solutions containing strong acids, weak acids, strong bases, weak bases and salts. Buffers.
Oxidations and reductions: spontaneity and redox potential; electrochemical series; electrochemical potential; Nernst equation.
Organic chemistry
Organic Molecules in 3D. Functional groups: Nomenclature, Structure and Reactions. Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, Alkenes, Alcohols, Aldehydes/Ketones, Amines; Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives. Enol and Enolate chemistry. Saccharides, Amino acids and Peptides.
Frontal lectures.
Katherine J Denniston, Joseph J Topping and Robert L Caret.
General, Organic & Biochemistry.
9th Ed. 2016. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Multiple choice test including questions on stechiometry and the theoretical aspects of the general and organic Chemistry.
The VISAI teacher has activated an e-mail address to which students can apply for her part of the course: visai.harvey@unipv.it
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