ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY I AND LABORATORY M - Z

Academic Year 2021/2022 - 2° Year
Teaching Staff Credit Value: 12
Scientific field: CHIM/01 - Analytical chemistry
Taught classes: 42 hours
Laboratories: 72 hours
Term / Semester:

Learning Objectives

  • MODULO 1

    The course aims to provide students with fundamental concepts on ionic equilibria in solution as well as with theoretical and practical tools for quantitative analysis in laboratory (module 2). The purpose of the course is to give a global vision of the analytical process, from the selection of the method of analysis to data processing and critical discussion of the results through the application of the principles which rule chemical equilibria in solution and the use of the classical analytical methods.

    Knowledge and understanding:

    Knowledge of the essential concepts for the study of ionic equilibria in solution.

    Applying knowledge and understanding:

    Development of tools for understanding and applying in lab methods and procedures for quantitative chemical analysis as well as for the presentation and discussion of the analytical data. Development of suitable skills to create and support subjects/demonstrations and to solve problems on the topics covered in the course.

    Making judgements:

    Capability to solve problems on solution equilibria, collect and interpret experimental data basing on the acquired knowledge and laboratory experiments.

    Communication skills:

    Acquiring proper language skills and ability to rigorously expose the topics covered in the course.

    Learning skills:

    Capability to develop tools and skills to successfully undertake further study paths with a high level of autonomy.

  • MODULO 2

    The course aims to provide students with fundamental tools for quantitative analysis based on ionic equilibria in solution through the employment of the most significant gravimetric and volumetric methods in analytical chemistry. The purpose of the course is to give a global vision of the analytical process from the selection of the method of analysis to data processing and critical discussion of the results.

    Knowledge and understanding:

    Understanding the basic concepts of the classical methods of volumetric and gravimetric analysis as well as their applications. Knowledge of the basis of statistics for the treatment of experimental data.

    Applying knowledge and understanding:

    Development of tools for understanding the methods and procedures for quantitative chemical analysis as well as acquisition of the practical skills for volumetric and gravimetric methods through experiments in the laboratory. Development of a critical thinking for the presentation of the analytical data obtained.

    Making judgements:

    Ability to independently solve an analytical problem using volumetric/gravimetric methods as well as ability to interpret experimental data on the basis of the acquired knowledge and laboratory experiments.

    Communication skills:

    Acquiring proper language skills and ability to rigorously expose the topics covered in the course.

    Learning skills:

    Capability to develop tools and skills to successfully undertake further study paths with a high level of autonomy.


Course Structure

  • MODULO 1

    Class lectures and exercises aimed at solving problems on ionic equilibria in solution.

    Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

  • MODULO 2

    Class lectures, exercises, presentation of the lab experiments, treatment of the analytical data. Experiments in laboratory on volumetric and gravimetric analysis.


Detailed Course Content

  • MODULO 1

    Basic concepts on analytical chemistry. Gibbs free energy and chemical equilibria. Equilibrium constants. Factors affecting the equilibrium constant. Ionic strength. Activity and activity coefficients. Debye-Huckel theory. Temperature dependence of the equilibrium constant.

    Acid-base equilibria. The ionic product of water. pH. Strength of acids and bases. Strong acids and bases: pH calculation. Mass and charge balance equations, proton condition. Weak acids and bases: pH calculation and approximation criteria. Buffer solutions: pH calculation and buffer capacity. Polyprotic acids. Species distribution diagrams. Amphoteric species. Mixtures of acids and/or bases. Acid-base titration curves.

    Solubility equilibria. Solubility product. Dependence on temperature, solvent and ionic strength. Solubility. Effect of the common-ion, pH and complex formation on the solubility of a poorly soluble salt. Precipitation titrations.

    Complex formation equilibria. Metal-ligand complexes. Mono and polydentate ligands. Degree of formation. Role of the pH on the complex formation equilibria. EDTA, acid-base and complexing properties. Conditional formation constant. Minimum pH for effective titrations. Complexometric titrations.

  • MODULO 2

    Course introduction. Elements of statistics. Errors in analytical chemistry. Presentation of data and results. Position and dispersion index. Most common statistical tests.

    Analytical measurement instrumentations. Precision, accuracy, sensitivity. Laboratory apparatuses: analytical balance and calibrated glassware.

    Volumetric analysis. General principles on titrations. Preparation of standard solutions. Primary standards. Standardization procedures. Acid-base titrations. Indicators. Acidimetric and alkalimetric determination of sodium tetraborate.

    Precipitation titrations. Determination of chloride by Mohr, Fajans, and Volhard methods. Carbonate/chloride separation.

    Gravimetric analysis. Analysis by precipitation. Formation, nature and size of precipitates. Gravimetric determination of Ni2+ as the bis-dimethylglioximate complex.

    Complexometric titrations. EDTA titrations. Metallochromic indicators. Determination of Cu2+.

    Redox titrations. Methods based on the use of permanganate. Determination of Fe2+. Iodometry. Determination of Cu2+.


Textbook Information

  • MODULO 1

    1. H. Freiser, Q. Fernando, “Gli Equilibri Ionici nella Chimica Analitica", Piccin, Padova

    2. D. C. Harris, “Chimica Analitica Quantitativa”, terza ed., Zanichelli, Bologna

    3. I. M. Kolthoff, E. B. Sandell, E. J. Meehan, S. Bruckenstein, “Analisi Chimica Quantitativa”, Piccin, Padova

    4. F. J. Holler, S. R. Crouch, “Fondamenti di Chimica Analitica”, terza ed., Edises, Napoli

  • MODULO 2

    1. I. M. Kolthoff, E. B. Sandell, E. J. Meehan, S. Bruckenstein, “Analisi Chimica Quantitativa”, Piccin, Padova

    2. D. C. Harris, “Chimica Analitica Quantitativa”, terza ed., Zanichelli, Bologna

    3. F. J. Holler, S. R. Crouch, “Fondamenti di Chimica Analitica”, terza ed., Edises, Napoli

    4. M. Garetto, "Statistica, lezioni ed esercizi", Università di Torino

    5. E. De Simoni, "Chimica Analitica", CUL, Bologna