Chemical Methods for Biotechnology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the basics of i) analytical chemistry ii) physical chemistry iii) mass spectrometry iv) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, to make students autonomous for the study of processes and reactions of biological interest. The course, appropriately accompanied by practical laboratory exercises, is dedicated to the acquisition of skills related to the most common basic and instrumental analytical (electroanalytical, spectroscopic, chromatographic, NMR and mass) techniques.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student should be able to
- interpret analytical titration data (pHmetry, complexation, precipitation, redox);
- understand and apply the principles of conductivity, spectroscopy and chromatography, also in relation to laboratory experiences;
- understand and apply the principles of thermodynamics and both theoretical and practical aspects of chemical kinetics;
- comment and discuss equations and graphs presented in class
- interpret spectra and identify the structure of simple organic compounds starting from corresponding 1H and 13C NMR and MS spectra
- interpret analytical titration data (pHmetry, complexation, precipitation, redox);
- understand and apply the principles of conductivity, spectroscopy and chromatography, also in relation to laboratory experiences;
- understand and apply the principles of thermodynamics and both theoretical and practical aspects of chemical kinetics;
- comment and discuss equations and graphs presented in class
- interpret spectra and identify the structure of simple organic compounds starting from corresponding 1H and 13C NMR and MS spectra
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Elements of Analytical Chemistry
Basic analytical principles. Preparation of standard solutions and exercises about the preparation of solutions.
Analysis of different titrations for the identification and quantification of chemicals (pH-metry, complexometric, precipitation, redox).
Exercises on the processing of titration data. Conductimetric electroanalytical techniques:
direct and indirect conductimetry. Spectroscopic techniques: UV-vis, fluorimetry, polarimetry.
Chromatographic separation techniques.
Potentiometric electroanalytical techniques.
Elements of Physical Chemistry
Fundamentals: Equation of state of perfect gases.
Chemical thermodynamics: the first principle (conservation of energy). Internal energy and enthalpy. Second principle and entropy. Entropic changes in the system and in the environment. The spontaneous character of chemical reactions. Gibbs energy and its variation. The chemical potential. Chemical kinetics. Kinetic laws, rate constants (coefficients) and orders of reaction.
Methods for determining the kinetic law.
The dependence of the reaction rate on temperature.
The Arrhenius equation.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR):
- Spin and resonance
- NMR observables: chemical shift, coupling constants and integral
- Monodimensional experiments for proton and Carbon
- Bidimensional experiments: COSY e HSQC
- Analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra of organic molecules
- Overhauser effect: theory, examples and applications
- Use of NMR the identification of 3D structures of peptides and proteins and techniques for the analysis of the ligand-protein interaction
Mass spectrometry:
- Theoretical basis of mass spectrometry
- Ion sources: Electron Impact, Chemical ionization, ESI, FAB, MALDI
- Analyzers: Magnetic analyzer, double focus, quadrupole, Ion trap, TOF, FT-ICR
- MS fragmentation of organic molecules, examples and applications
- Analysis of MS spectra of organic molecule
- Mass spectrometry combined with gas and liquid cromatography
EXPERIMENTAL LABORATORY: during the experimental laboratory the student will acquire familiarity in the preparation of solutions, in the determination/resolution of mixtures by appropriate analytical techniques, and in the collection of experimental data (spectrophotometric, conductivity, potentiometric and calorimetric data), which will then be processed on the basis of appropriate chemical-physical relationships.
Basic analytical principles. Preparation of standard solutions and exercises about the preparation of solutions.
Analysis of different titrations for the identification and quantification of chemicals (pH-metry, complexometric, precipitation, redox).
Exercises on the processing of titration data. Conductimetric electroanalytical techniques:
direct and indirect conductimetry. Spectroscopic techniques: UV-vis, fluorimetry, polarimetry.
Chromatographic separation techniques.
Potentiometric electroanalytical techniques.
Elements of Physical Chemistry
Fundamentals: Equation of state of perfect gases.
Chemical thermodynamics: the first principle (conservation of energy). Internal energy and enthalpy. Second principle and entropy. Entropic changes in the system and in the environment. The spontaneous character of chemical reactions. Gibbs energy and its variation. The chemical potential. Chemical kinetics. Kinetic laws, rate constants (coefficients) and orders of reaction.
Methods for determining the kinetic law.
The dependence of the reaction rate on temperature.
The Arrhenius equation.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR):
- Spin and resonance
- NMR observables: chemical shift, coupling constants and integral
- Monodimensional experiments for proton and Carbon
- Bidimensional experiments: COSY e HSQC
- Analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra of organic molecules
- Overhauser effect: theory, examples and applications
- Use of NMR the identification of 3D structures of peptides and proteins and techniques for the analysis of the ligand-protein interaction
Mass spectrometry:
- Theoretical basis of mass spectrometry
- Ion sources: Electron Impact, Chemical ionization, ESI, FAB, MALDI
- Analyzers: Magnetic analyzer, double focus, quadrupole, Ion trap, TOF, FT-ICR
- MS fragmentation of organic molecules, examples and applications
- Analysis of MS spectra of organic molecule
- Mass spectrometry combined with gas and liquid cromatography
EXPERIMENTAL LABORATORY: during the experimental laboratory the student will acquire familiarity in the preparation of solutions, in the determination/resolution of mixtures by appropriate analytical techniques, and in the collection of experimental data (spectrophotometric, conductivity, potentiometric and calorimetric data), which will then be processed on the basis of appropriate chemical-physical relationships.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the basic concepts of general, inorganic and organic chemistry, molecular structure, mathematics and numerical calculation.
Teaching methods
Lectures, excercises, practical exsercises in laboratory.
Teaching Resources
- S. P.J. Higson, Analytical Chemistry, Oxford University Press
- G. D. Christian, Analytical Chemistry, Wiley-VCH
- P.W. Atkins, Physical Chemistry
- Guida Pratica alla Interpretazione di Spettri NMR, Antonio Randazzo, Loghia, 2018
- Lecturers notes
- G. D. Christian, Analytical Chemistry, Wiley-VCH
- P.W. Atkins, Physical Chemistry
- Guida Pratica alla Interpretazione di Spettri NMR, Antonio Randazzo, Loghia, 2018
- Lecturers notes
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will consist of a written final test with a maximum score of 30/30 cum laude. The test will be divided into three parts, each made of one exercise and one theoretical question. Each part will be assessed up to a maximum of 10 points. In addition, the final score will take into account also the evaluation of the report concerning the practical experiences carried out in the laboratory (maximum 3 additional points).
The exam will last two hours and half.
Any additional information on the assessment methods will be explained during the course.
The exam will last two hours and half.
Any additional information on the assessment methods will be explained during the course.
CHIM/02 - PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
CHIM/06 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 2
CHIM/06 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 2
Practicals: 24 hours
Single bench laboratory practical: 24 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Single bench laboratory practical: 24 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
By email appointment
Department of Chemistry, Building 5A-O, 3rd floor