ADVANCED SYNTHESIS AND LABORATORY TECHNIQUES
Synthesis, purification, and characterization of compounds spanning the sub-disciplines of inorganic chemistry, including main-group, transition metal, bioinorganic, organometallic, and solid-state compounds. Laboratory skills developed include Schlenck techniques, glovebox methods, and high-temperature methods, all with an emphasis on chemical safety. Characterization methods may include UV-visible and IR spectroscopy, multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, cyclic voltammetry, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and chromatographic methods.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: CHEM 311 Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness + Lab Breadth - Physical Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Use the chemical literature to identify methods of synthesis for specific compounds Audience: Undergraduate 2. Interpret published synthetic procedures to come up with a plan to reproduce the synthesis of the desired compounds Audience: Undergraduate 3. Apply the theoretical synthetic principles, including and understanding of how and why reactions work, by performing laboratory experiments Audience: Undergraduate 4. Apply synthetic techniques/skills, and demonstrate scientific/information literacy, critical and creative thinking, quantitative reasoning, and communication Audience: Undergraduate 5. Apply the fundamentals of synthetic inorganic chemistry, including laboratory safety, handling of air-sensitive and water-sensitive reagents and products, and commonly used characterization techniques Audience: Undergraduate 6. Use Schlenck techniques and glovebox methods to synthesize and manipulate air-sensitive compounds Audience: Undergraduate 7. Use hydrothermal and tube-furnace methods to synthesize materials Audience: Undergraduate 8. Assess compound purity using reported and measured magnetic moments of compounds synthesized in the laboratory Audience: Undergraduate 9. Assess compound purity using the spectroscopic techniques of nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and UV/Visible spectroscopy Audience: Undergraduate 10. Troubleshoot experiments that do not yield anticipated results Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Use the chemical literature to identify methods of synthesis for specific compounds Audience: Undergraduate 2. Interpret published synthetic procedures to come up with a plan to reproduce the synthesis of the desired compounds Audience: Undergraduate 3. Apply the theoretical synthetic principles, including and understanding of how and why reactions work, by performing laboratory experiments Audience: Undergraduate 4. Apply synthetic techniques/skills, and demonstrate scientific/information literacy, critical and creative thinking, quantitative reasoning, and communication Audience: Undergraduate 5. Apply the fundamentals of synthetic inorganic chemistry, including laboratory safety, handling of air-sensitive and water-sensitive reagents and products, and commonly used characterization techniques Audience: Undergraduate 6. Use Schlenck techniques and glovebox methods to synthesize and manipulate air-sensitive compounds Audience: Undergraduate 7. Use hydrothermal and tube-furnace methods to synthesize materials Audience: Undergraduate 8. Assess compound purity using reported and measured magnetic moments of compounds synthesized in the laboratory Audience: Undergraduate 9. Assess compound purity using the spectroscopic techniques of nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and UV/Visible spectroscopy Audience: Undergraduate 10. Troubleshoot experiments that do not yield anticipated results Audience: Undergraduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027