Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After the course the student will be able to
1. interpret MS, IR and NMR spectra
2. solve structures of organic molecules based on MS, IR and NMR spectra
3. describe the functional principles of the MS, IR and NMR spectrometers

Credits: 5

Schedule: 08.09.2020 - 21.10.2020

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Jari Koivisto

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Jari Koivisto

Contact information for the course (valid 13.08.2020-21.12.2112):

Jari Koivisto, room C326c after lectures/exercises

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    The objective is to learn how to use mass spectrometry (MS), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) in the structural determination and identification of organic compounds.

    After the course, the student should know:

    • How to determine molecular weight and molecular formula from the mass spectral data
    • How to calculate the Double Bond Equivalent (DBE) based on the molecular formula
    • How to identify molecular functional groups from the infrared spectra
    • How 1H NMR signal integrals are related to a molecular structure
    • How 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts are related to a molecular structure
    • How 1H,1H NMR coupling constants are related to a molecular structure
    • How equivalence, symmetry and chirality effect on the NMR spectra
    • How to interpret simple 2D NMR spectra

  • Applies in this implementation:

    After the course, the student should know:

    • How to determine molecular weight and molecular formula from the mass spectral data
    • How to calculate the Double Bond Equivalent (DBE) based on the molecular formula
    • How to identify molecular functional groups from the infrared spectra
    • How 1H NMR signal integrals are related to a molecular structure
    • How 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts are related to a molecular structure
    • How 1H,1H NMR coupling constants are related to a molecular structure
    • How equivalence, symmetry and chirality effect on the NMR spectra
    • How to interpret simple 2D NMR spectra

    Nice to know:

    • How MS, IR and NMR spectrometers work
    • How fragmentation in the electron ionization (EI) mass spectra is related to a molecular structure
    • How nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) in NMR is related to a molecular structure

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Lectures and exercises. The course includes instrument demonstrations. Final exam.

    Evaluation is based on the final exam. Please note that this is a problem solving course, i.e. the answers to the exam questions
    cannot be found in the textbooks or in the course handout. Therefore, it is important to practise structure determination by solving the exercises.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Evaluation is based on the final exam. Please note that this is a problem solving course, i.e. the answers to the exam questions
    cannot
    be found in the textbooks or in the course handout. Therefore, it is
    important to practise structure determination by solving the exercises.

    The exam consists of three structure determination problems. One A4 cheat sheet allowed in the exam. 1H and 13C NMR chemical shift tables will be provided.


Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Lectures 28 h
    Exercises 18 h
    Instrument demonstrations 6 h
    Home problem solving 13 h
    Independent homework 66 h
    Exam 4 h

    Attendance in the course is not compulsory.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    • Lectures: 6 x 4 h (the last lecture will be spent solving additional exercises)
    • Exercises:
      6 x 3 h (usually, the first three exercises will require less than 3 h/each)
    • Instrument
      demonstrations: NMR 2 h (probably also MS and IR (max. total 6 h))
    • Independent study: 79 h (includes solving exercises at home and preparation to the exam)
    • Exam: 4 h

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Lecture slides.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Handout