Click on the links below for information related to the 361 or 363 course.

FALL 2011 (Chem 361)

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WINTER 2012 (Chem 363)

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COURSE COORDINATORS

The 36X Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Laboratories are located on the First Floor West Wing of the Chemistry Building. Questions or concerns regarding the lecture components of the course can be directed to:

Dr. C. Brzezowski (Chem 361) or Dr. J. Stryker. (Chem 363)

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

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LAB REPORTS

• Lab reports are due seven days after the lab class in which the experiment was done.
• Lab reports received after the deadline will have 5 marks deducted per day.
• Reports will not be accepted later than 5 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.

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TA INFORMATION

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HELP SESSION INFORMATION

Chem 36X Help Sessions

Room: CCIS L1-023/ CCIS L1-024

Time: Posted on door to CCIS L1-023/ L1-024

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USEFUL LINKS

University of Alberta

Department of Chemistry - HomePage

Department of Chemistry - Chem 36X Course Home Page

Beartracks

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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 Friday before labs start (by 3pm)
• Chem 361, 363 assignments are posted on the doors of CCIS L1-023 and 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 361/ 363 - Room: CCIS L1-023/ 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?

• Beside CCIS L1-008

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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: 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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