Advanced Physics Methods in Organic Chemistry

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
CHIM/06
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course provides to the students the skills for the structural and conformational characterization of organic compounds, through the application of nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry.
Expected learning outcomes
The course provides to the students an advanced knowledge of NMR and mass spectroscopy, Eventually, students will be able to interpret mono and two-dimensional NMR spectra (1H-NMR and 13C-NMR) and mass spectra of organic molecules.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY
- Theoretical basis of NMR techniques
- NMR observable for 1H and 13C: chemical shift and parameters causing its variation, coupling constants and signal multiplicity (Origin of splitting), Integral and the use of NMR as quantitative technique
- NMR applied to hetero-nuclei (19F, 31P and 15N)
- Homo- and hetero nuclear decoupling
- Relaxation times T1 and T2, parameters influencing relaxation times
- Nuclear effect Overhauser (nOe): origin and applications
- Pulse experiment: the spin echo experiment as an introduction to one-dimensional pulsed sequences.
- 13C-NMR spectroscopy. One-dimensional experiments (1D) with simple and complex pulse sequences: JMOD, INEPT, DEPT.
- Multidimensional spectroscopy. The NMR experiment in two dimensions (2D). Homonuclear experiments: COSY, TOCSY, and NOESY. Heteronuclear experiments: HSQC and HMBC.
- Gradients and their applications: DOSY spectroscopy and signal suppression.
- Applications of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance: dynamic NMR and kinetic processes, conformational analysis of organic molecules, interaction between molecules.
- Practical part of interpretation of 1H and 13C-NMR spectra.

MASS SPECTROMETRY
- Description of the technique and theoretical principles. Use of mass spectrometry in the structural determination of organic molecules.
- Ionization sources: Electron impact, chemical ionization, ESI, FAB, MALDI
- Mass analyzers: magnetic analyzer, double focus, qudrupole, TOF, Orbitrap, FT-ICR
- Ion detector: principles and applications.
- Fragmentation in the main classes of organic substances. The use of different types of instruments for the study of different classes of molecules.
- Mass spectrometry combined with chromatography.
- High resolution Mass spectrometry: applications

Classroom exercises for the structural determination of unknown molecules through the interpretation of NMR and mass spectra.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the basic principles of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and organic chemistry, which can be acquired in the courses (of organic chemistry or analytical chemistry) of a bachelor degree in chemistry
Teaching methods
The lectures will be delivered using slides and will be integrated with explanations on the blackboard for a deeper understanding. Guided exercises, including case studies, allow the practical application of concepts with the support of the teacher. Practical sessions with computers will be used where necessary to offer practical experience, in which students apply the methods learned to real case studies.
Teaching Resources
- H. Friebolin, Basic One- and Two-Dimensional NMR Spectroscopy, VCM.
- Edmond de Hoffmann, Vincent Stroobant, Mass Spectrometry: Principles and Applications, Wiley.
The slides used during the course will be made available to students on the ARIEL website, but they represent a trace of study as support of the suggested books.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be a written test with 3 question about the theory and 2 exercises. The theoretical part includes questions on the topics developed in the course (two for the NMR and one question for the MS), to assess the student's knowledge on the theoretical aspects of the program.
In the applicative part, the student has to analyze a set of 1H and 13C NMR spectra (mono and bidimensional) of a molecule with a known or unknown structure. Furthermore, the practical part includes an exercise concerning the attribution of the fragmentation peaks of the mass spectrum of a simple organic molecule.
The exam will last about three hours.
CHIM/06 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor: Vasile Francesca
Shifts:
Turno
Professor: Vasile Francesca
Professor(s)
Reception:
Friday from 11.30 to 13.30