Chemistry 311: Essentials of Organic Chemistry Lab

Dr. T. Christian Grattan (Office Sims 301B)

Fall 2008 – Winthrop University

MWF 9:00-9:50 PM (Sims 302)

Textbooks:  The Student’s Lab Companion:  Laboratory Techniques for Organic  Chemistry, John W. Lehman.REQUIRED

Jones and Bartlett Laboratory Notebook, -- REQUIRED

Approved Safety Googles -- REQUIRED 

Course objectives:  My goal for this course is to clearly explain the fundamental concepts of organic chemistry through laboratory experimentation and report writing.   The specific objectives include:

  • Understand basic laboratory techniques in organic chemistry
  • Have planned, executed, and evaluated several common transformations in organic chemistry
  • Have further developed skills in scientific record keeping
  • Better understand some of the topics covered in CHEM 310 

Office Hours:    TR   10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

      or by appointment (323-4927 or grattanc@winthrop.edu)

 

I will also be accessible to answer questions on email.  You will find that this course is different than any other courses you have taken in college.  It is therefore important to stay on top of the material and get your questions answered as soon as possible.  Please take advantage of my office hours or email to resolve these problems.

 

Attendance:  Due to the unique nature of this course, each and every class meeting is important to better understand the material in the text.  The students are responsible for all assignments for the course regardless of absence.  Based on University policy, when a student has missed 25% of the class meetings (11), he/she automatically receives an “N” for the course.

Grading:                    10 Lab reports                       1000 points

The grading scale for this course will be based upon a typical 93-100% (A), 90-92% (A-), 87-89%(B+), 83-86% (B), 80-82% (B-), 77-79% (C+), 70-76% (C), 60-69% (D) < 60%(F) distribution using the total points in the course.

Laboratory Reports: Each laboratory exercise will be evaluated on the basis of an individual Laboratory Report for that exercise.  The Laboratory Report consists of

1 Pre-Lab Worksheet (40 pts) – Turned in at the beginning of the pre-lab briefing

Before the beginning of each new laboratory, a Pre-Lab Worksheet (found in the experimental procedure) must be completed.  This worksheet is due at the beginning of the pre-lab briefing.  No late Pre-Lab Worksheets will be accepted.

2.  An In-Lab notebook record (20 pts) – Turned in Wednesday after lab

 An In-Lab notebook record is due each Wednesday at 5:00 pm following the completion of that week's lab.  The In-Lab notebook record consists of the carbon copies of your notebook pages for that laboratory exercise (an example notebook entry can be found on the course webpage).  This In-Lab record is to be done in the laboratory and should be written directly into your lab notebook. If you do not write this portion directly into the required notebook, you will not get credit for this section.  Your notebook record should contain:

            Procedure

Write a step-by-step account of what you did in the experiment. It should be detailed enough so that the experiment could be repeated exactly as you did it, using only your procedure.

Data and Observations

Record any data (masses, mp, bp, etc.) you measured, including units. Record any significant observations (color change, evolution of gas, precipitation, etc.).

3.  A Post-Lab Worksheet (40 pts) – Turned in Wednesday after lab 

A Post-Lab Worksheet is due each Wednesday at 5:00 pm following the completion of that week's lab.  The Post-Lab Worksheet is also included in the experimental procedure on the course webpage (chem.winthrop.edu).  A 5 point per day penalty will be assessed on Post-Lab Reports turned in late.

 

Withdrawal policy: In order to drop CHEM 311, you must also drop CHEM 310.

General Lab Order:

-           Only dispose of waste in containers labeled for waste collection Do not put any chemical waste in the trash, down the drain or in any container not labeled as waste. 

-           Replace lids on all containers immediately after use. Open containers increase everyone's exposure to the substances within them. Spills are also more likely when a container is open. Some reagents can also be ruined by excessive exposure to air.

-           Clean your glassware after each experiment. 

-           Clean up any spills you create. If you don’t know how a spill should be cleaned up, ask. 

-           Put things back where you found them (equipment and anything non-disposable). 

-           Dispose of broken glass, used pipets and capillaries in the white broken glass containers.

Lab Safety:

-        SAFETY GLASSES ARE MANDATORY ANY TIME YOU ARE IN THE LAB.  Even if you are simply recording data, safety glasses must be worn. If you are found not wearing safety glasses, you will be asked to leave and will receive a zero for the experiment. 

-        Wear sensible clothing. Shoes and shirts are required.  Long hair needs to be pulled back.  Sandals, open-toed shoes, and high heels, as well as shorts, short skirts, bare midriffs and backs are prohibited.  It is best not to wear your good clothes into the lab, since spills are common. 

-        Eating, drinking and smoking are prohibited in the labs. 

-        Report any spills, cuts, burns or breakage of glassware immediately. Accidents happen and they will not affect your grade. 

-        Report any malfunctioning equipment (Mel Temps, hot plates, etc.). 

-        Particularly noxious substances should be handled in a fume hood. The constant draft of air prevents exposure to harmful fumes and vapors. Make certain the sash is lowered to a safe level, as shown on the side of the hood. 

-        A safety shower located in each laboratory. These are to be used in the event of a major spill of a hazardous chemical on yourself. 

-        Each laboratory has an eyewash station to be used if a chemical has come in contact with your eyes. Just place your face between the two fountains and press the lever to activate the water. Try to keep your eyes open as best you can, as this flushes them much more effectively. 

-        Disposable gloves can be found on the shelves of each laboratory. Wear gloves when dealing with any hazardous chemical. You may even want to wear gloves at all times in the laboratory. If you get a hazardous chemical on your gloves, take them off within a few minutes, wash your hands and put on a fresh pair. Gloves are not impervious; they simply prevent immediate exposure.

 

 

 

Chemistry 311 Lab Schedule

 

Date

Experiment

Book pgs.

Report Due

Sept 1

Introduction, Lab Safety/Lab reports

 

 

Sept 8

Recrystallization/Melting Point analyses

161-178, 222-229

 

Sept 15

Recrystallization/Melting Point analyses cont.

 

9/18

Sept 22

Molecular Modeling

 

9/25

Sept 29

Extraction of Caffeine from Tea

 

10/2

Oct 6

Thin Layer Chromatography of Analgesics

 

10/9

Oct 13

Distillation/Gas Chromatography

 

 

Oct 20

Fall Break

 

 

Oct 27

Distillation/Gas Chromatography cont.

 

10/30

Nov 3

Transfer Hyrdrogenation

 

11/6

Nov 10

Dehydration of alcohols

 

11/13

Nov 17

Oxidation/Reduction

 

11/20

Nov 24

Fisher Esterification

 

12/1

Dec 1

Preparation of Soap

 

12/4