CHEM-E4230 - Physical Organic Chemistry D, Lecture, 23.10.2023-30.11.2023

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:

  • Propose plausible reaction mechanisms for organic reactions based on experimental and computational data
  • Consider thermodynamic and quantum mechanical effects in reactions
  • Design experimental and theoretical mechanistic studies to rule out mechanistic alternatives

Credits: 5

Schedule: 23.10.2023 - 30.11.2023

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Juha Siitonen

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Idealized models for mechanisms: collision theory, Arrhenius plots, rate laws, Hammond's postulate, Curtin–Hammett, linear free energy relationships, energy landscapes, solvent models, catalysis. Experimental methods in physical organic chemistry: labeling, crossover experiments, kinetic isotope effects, competition experiments, and Hammett plots. Theoretical methods in physical organic chemistry: conformer spaces, minimum energy pathways, energy decomposition, Boltzmann-distributions.

    The course uses problem-based learning as the main pedagogical approach.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Homework problems: 50%

    Problem-based learning projects: 50%

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    5 op = 135 h

    Lectures: 20 h

    Homework problems: 45 h

    Problem-based learning activities: 70 h

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    3 Good Health and Well-being

    7 Affordable and Clean Energy

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language : English

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Autumn II
    2023-2024 Autumn II

    A course implementation may be cancelled if the number of students enrolled to the course implementation does not meet the required minimum of five students. In the case of cancelled course implementations, the students enrolled to them must be provided with an alternative way of completing the course or be advised to take some other applicable course.

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof