MOLECULAR STRUCTURE WITH ELEMENTS OF SPECTROSCOPY

Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: VITTORIO SCARDACI

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course's main objective is to provide to the student with specific knowledge in the field of Physical Chemistry

In particular, the student is expected to develop base theoretical knowledge in Physical Chemistry and to be able to apply it practically. This goal will be obtained via various laboratory experiences.

The course contributes to the following transversal skills: 

Knowledge and understanding: develop the ability to reason inductively and deductively and the understanding of chemical bonding, molecular spectroscopy and chemical kinetics. 

Ability to apply knowledge: being able to apply the knowledge acquired to describe the electronic structure and geometry of molecules rationally; being able to study from a theoretical and experimental point of view the kinetics of chemical reactions. 

Judgment autonomy: develop the capacity for critical reasoning and be able to correlate theoretical models to the behavior of molecules

Communication skills: being able to demonstrate the full understanding of matter with properties of language and scientific rigor. 

Learning Skills: Demonstrate that you have developed good learning and in-depth skills to understand chemical-physical phenomena and processes

Information for students with disabilities and/or DSA

To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensative measures, according to the teaching objectives and specific needs.

Course Structure

The course will consist of

- Class lectures to introduce laboratory experiences

- Laboratory experiences

- PC exercises for the analysis and interpretation of experimental data

Required Prerequisites

Base knowledge of chemistry, physics and mathematics.

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance is normally compulsory.

Partial or total justified exemptions from the frequency, in addition to those provided for by art. 27 of the Teaching Regulations of the University, may be recognized by the Council of Studies upon presentation of a reasoned request and recognized as such by the Council.

Detailed Course Content

Contents: Laboratory safety, Analysis and interpretation of experimental data (some knowledge of error theory will be also provided), Chemical kinetics, Introduction to spectroscopy

Laboratory experiences: Kinetics of acetone iodination, Kinetics of ethyl acetate hydrolysis, Confirmation of the Stern-Volmer law, FT-IR spectra solid and liquid carbonylic compounds, Electronic absorption spectrum of iodine, Absorbance, Excitation and fluorescent spectra of Anthracene.

Textbook Information

1. Notes and Slides from Lectures
2. Physical Chemistry, by Julio De Paula and Peter Atkins

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Course introductionNotes and slides
2Practising Origin/Excel
3FTIR spectroscopy of carbonyl compounds
4Verification of the Stern-Volmer law
5Absorption spectroscopy of conjugated polyenes
6Absorpion and emission spectroscopy of Iodine in the  gas phase
7Absorption and emission spectroscopy of Anthracene
8Acetone iodination kinetics
9Lab data analysis

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The exam aims to ascertain (a) the acquisition of the basic concepts of the course and the ability to connect them with each other and with laboratory experiments; (b) the ability to clearly expose concepts using scientific language appropriately, (c) the ability to use and quantitatively interpret experimental data by applying the concepts and methodologies acquired during the course. 

Reports are required on all the experiences carried out in the laboratory, to be sent to the teacher electronically (in Word or pdf format) at least 15 days before the date chosen to take the exam.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

- Describe sample preparation for infrared spectroscopy

- Discuss absorption and emission spectra for iodine in the gas phase

- Discuss absorption spectra for conjugated polyenes