2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
CHEM2191 Structure and Spectroscopy
10 creditsClass Size: 200
Module manager: Dr Stuart Warriner
Email: s.l.warriner@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
Pre-requisite qualifications
Level 1 Chemistry or equivalentModule replaces
CHEM2190 Structure and SpectroscopyThis module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This course will provide students with the skills to interpret NMR and mass spectra to determine structures of small molecules, building on skills developed in level 1. Further, the course will introduce the use of point groups to describe the symmetry of molecules and how this mathematical understanding of symmetry helps describe molecular vibrations. Building again on level 1, students’ understanding of the use of infrared spectroscopy to probe transitions between vibrational and electronic states will be further developed.Objectives
On completion of the module, students should be able to:- use 1H, 13C NMR, and mass spectrometry in combination in the determination of organic compounds;
- understand the principles underlying NMR spectroscopy and applications to other nuclei;
- appreciate the importance of molecular symmetry and symmetry elements;
- understand the principles behind vibrational (IR) spectroscopy, and appreciate the importance of the symmetry of vibrational states.
Learning outcomes
1) Understand and apply 1-dimensional 1H NMR to structure assignment – understand the effects of structure on chemical shifts;
2) Understand complex coupling patterns including the effects of dihedral angle on coupling constants;
3) Understand the use of carbon, fluorine and other NMR nuclei in structural determination of molecules;
4) Understand the application of mass spectrometry to determine molecular formulae and fragmentation patterns for organic molecules;
5) Be able to identify symmetry elements and describe the effects of symmetry operations upon a molecule;
6) Be introduced to character tables;
7) Understand and solve problems involving the theory of vibrational (infrared) spectroscopy.
Syllabus
Principles of NMR: magnetic fields and nuclear spin; relaxation; chemical shift; the origin of resonance splitting.
Applications of NMR: Revision of level 1: chemical shift tables and basic multiplets; second order effects; advanced multiplet analysis, the Karplus equation; Other nuclei: 13C, DEPT etc; Other nuclei: inorganic examples; 2D NMR.
Mass spectrometry: Techniques; accurate mass and isotope patterns.
Symmetry: From symmetry to maths – why bother with group theory? Classification of molecules according to symmetry.
Vibrational (infrared) spectroscopy – difference between gas, solution and solid phase. Anharmonicity. Allowed transitions, IR and Raman active vibrational modes. Difference between sampling modes.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| On-line Learning | 11 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
| Workshop | 9 | 1.00 | 9.00 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 11.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 59.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
70h (including 11h online study - quizzes, note-taking, additional reading)Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Short online MCQs. Online workshops with in-class feedback.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| In-course MCQ | group theory | 15.00 |
| Presentation | group presentation on IR spectra | 35.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Open Book exam | 3 hr | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 | |
NMR
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 29/04/2024 16:12:08
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
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