Chem 164/ 261

Welcome to the Chem 164/ 261 Organic Chemistry Laboratory Website

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Students must obtain a mark of 60 % in the laboratory course to pass organic chemistry.
• The overall value of the laboratory component is 25 %.
• Students are expected to attend ALL laboratory periods.
• All laboratory classes begin promptly at 7.50 A.M., 1.50 P.M. or 6.00 P.M. If you are late, you may be denied entry into the lab class and demerit marks may be deducted.
• If you miss a quiz due to arriving late for lab class, it CANNOT be rescheduled and it will result in a mark of "0".
• Attendance will be taken every laboratory class.
• Absences from the lab class must be substantiated by presenting suitable evidence to Dr. H. Wan or Ms. N. Djokic within one week of missing the lab.
• Permission to attend a make-up lab is given by Dr. H. Wan or Ms. N. Djokic. You must come IN PERSON to E1-34 with your lab report book. Only TWO make-up labs per semester are allowed.
• Failure to carry out the missed experiment will result in a mark of "0" for that experiment.
• Under unusual circumstances, excused absences for up to two laboratory classes will be allowed. Marks for missed experiments due to excused absences will be transferred to the final laboratory examination or formal lab report.

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COURSE COORDINATORS

The Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Laboratories are located on the First Floor (East and West wings) of the Chemistry Building.

Questions or concerns regarding the lecture components of the course can be directed to Dr. C. Cairo.

Questions or concerns regarding the laboratory component of the course can be directed to Dr. H. Wan.

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CHECK IN AND CHECK OUT

• Ensure that all equipment is accounted for and in good condition during Check-In. You will be responsible for the equipment in all four lockers at your assigned work station from the beginning of your lab class until the beginning of the next lab class. The equipment in the lockers will be shared with up to nine other students carrying out experiments during different lab class times throughout the week.
• If items are missing, chipped and need to be replaced, notify your TA. The TA will verify your list of missing or unsatisfactory equipment before signing your check in slip and affixing a check in label at the top of the slip.
• When you have finished the experimental work, clean the top of your bench and the sink nearby, and complete your weekly cleaning assignment of the communal workspace. Check that all gas, water and steam taps are closed.
• Make sure that all of your equipment is PRESENT and CLEAN (use the green equipment check lists inside each locker as a quick aid to check completeness of equipment), then let your TA know you are ready to leave the laboratory class. Your TA will quickly inspect the equipment to ensure it meets minimal cleanliness standards.
• Any missing, broken, or dirty equipment may be noted on the Glassware sign in sheet at this time, however, charges may still be levied against your account as it is difficult to see star cracks and chips on wet equipment.
• Check-out occurs at the end of the last laboratory class. Make sure that all of your equipment is PRESENT and CLEAN (use the green equipments check lists inside each locker as a quick aid to check completeness of equipment). Sign the check-out sheet and then let your TA know you are ready to leave the laboratory class.

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LAB REPORTS

• To assist the student in keeping adequate laboratory records, a laboratory report form that is specific to the experiment being undertaken is provided in the Laboratory Report Book.
• Lab reports are due two days after the lab class in which the experiment was done. Please refer to the schedule in your lab manual to determine which specific day your lab report is due.**
• Lab reports received after the 2 day deadline will have 5 marks deducted per day.
• Reports will not be accepted later than 3 days after the due date. In the case of extenuating circumstances, such as documented illness, please see Dr. H. Wan in E1-34B with your supporting documents.

** This does NOT apply to Spring session students. In the Spring session, the lab reports are due the NEXT morning!

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Topic: Lab Sections and Times

Qu. Bear Tracks registration system says that the lab section is full. Can you put me in?

• No, we cannot put you in - the limit for the number of students is determined by the physical number of workbenches
• All available spaces are considered by Bear Tracks or Bear Scat
• Many changes occur until the add-drop date. Keep checking Bear Tracks.
• If a significant course conflict occurs, please come to E1-34 for assistance.

Qu. When do labs start?

• Check the schedule above, in your lab manuals or on BearTracks.

Qu. The lab room is TBA. How do I find out where my lab room is?

• The lab room assignments will be posted on the first floor of the Chemistry East & West concourse on the Friday before labs start (usually by 3pm)
• Chem 261, 263 - assignments are posted in the Chemistry East concourse, in the glass cabinets or on the brick wall near E1-26.
• Chem 361, 363 - assignments are posted on the doors of CCIS L1-023 or L1-024.

Qu. What do I have to do before the labs start?

• You must buy the appropriate lab manual/ lab report book package for the term in which you are registered for.
• Read and familiarize yourself with the material and read up on procedures/ techniques necessary for the lab class.

Qu. I took this course before and failed the lecture component but I passed the lab component. What do I do?

• See Dr. H. Wan in Chemistry East, Room E1-34B. You will be able to find out what your options are.

Qu. When and where are the Help Sessions held?

• Chem 164/ 261/ 263 - Room: E1-34
• Chem 361/ 363 - Room: CCIS L1-023 and L1-024

The times of the Help Sessions are posted on the door to each room.

Qu. What happens if I am ill and cannot attend my lab?

• See Ms. N. Djokic or Dr. H. Wan in Chemistry East, Room E1-34.
• A make-up lab may be arranged - you must bring your laboratory report book!

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Topic: Locations

Qu. Where is the Melting Point Room?

• Chemistry West: Room W1-39

Qu. Where is the Chemistry Undergraduate Stores Room?

• Chemistry West: Room W1-32

Qu. Where is the Ice Machine?

• Second Floor West, South Wing

Qu. Where is the Distilled Water?

• Lab Classroom, sink on north wall

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Topic: WHMIS

Qu. What is the difference between "toxic" and "poisonous"?

• Both toxic and poisonous refer to a substance that has the potential to be dangerous to your life. The difference between the two lies in the degree of danger.

  Toxic (e.g., acetone or ink):
  - a slow acting substance that may cause a rash or coughing. It may enter the body by inhalation (lungs) or absorption (skin or eyes).

  Poisonous (e.g., cyanide, methanol, phenol):
  - includes toxic and may go beyond. A poison may be slow or quick acting. A poisonous gas may affect you within 6 seconds! Poisonous substances may be inhaled, ingested, absorbed, or injected.

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Topic: 164/261/263 Lab write-ups

Qu. Should I look in the lab manual to find the procedure for an experiment?

• Yes. A complete procedure can be obtained by answering the pre-lab questions and working through the information found in the "Labs " and "Procedures" sections of the lab manual.
• Writing up a procedure will help you to familiarize yourself with the information you need before you start a specific lab experiment. Your TA will give additional procedural information during the pre-lab lecture.
• It is a good idea to include pages of reference, in case you need to quickly look up specific sections in your lab manual.

Qu: How do I fill in the blanks of the Table of Reagents, and where can I find this information?

• Complete the Table of Reagents with the following information about each compound:

  - Molecular Weight (MW), also known as Formula Weight (FW), of the compound (e.g., C2H6 MW= 30.08 g/mol).
  - The literature melting point of the compound (or the boiling point if it is a liquid at room temperature).
  - Any hazardous properties (e.g., toxic, flammable, irritant).
  - Any other information indicated by the table heading.

• You can find this information in:

  - The "Table of Reagents Chemistry" located in the back of your lab manual
  - Any chemical reference book (e.g. the CRC Handbook or the Aldrich catalog).

  - A copy of the Aldrich catalog is available on the side bench of your lab room, and a copy of the CRC Handbook is in the Melting Point Room (Chemistry, W1-39).
  - www.ChemFinder.com

Qu. What should I write down in the observation column? How much detail do you want?

• In the observation column, you should make brief notes about colours, odors, reactions, and changes you observe during the experiment. You can use these observations to make sense of what happened when writing the discussion section of your lab report.

Qu. Why do I need to complete the Table of Reagents? What is it used for?

• Completing the Table of Reagents will familiarize you with the physical properties and hazardous nature (if any) of the chemicals you will be using.
• Workers have the right to know about the hazardous nature of chemicals. This is now a legal requirement, legislated by WHMIS.

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Topic: Lab Manual

Qu. When the lab manual says that we should "purify", does this mean recrystallization?

• If you have a slightly impure solid product, recrystallization or sublimation are the techniques used for purification.
• If you have an impure liquid, distillation is the purification method to use.
• The properties of your compound will determine the method of purification.

Qu. You use the words "reaction" and "reaction workup". What is the difference?

• The "reaction" is the mixing of reagents together at the specified temperature and time.
• The "reaction workup" is the pre-purification step, i.e., isolation of the crude product.

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TA INFORMATION

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HELP SESSION SCHEDULE

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Useful Links

University of Alberta

Department of Chemistry - HomePage

Beartracks

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