27542 - Analytical Chemistry 1

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows the principles of an analytical sequence; the main sampling techniques and sample treatments for solids, liquids, and gases; as well as the main analytical methods, i.e. gravimetry, acid-base titrations, spectrophotometry, and chromatography.

Course contents

Prerequisite:
No previous knowledge is required, except math and fundamentals of chemistry. Foreign students should master Italian (writing, speaking and listening) at a C1 level.
Program:
a) Lectures (24 hours).
Definition of analytical chemistry. Outline of an analytical process. Fundamentals of statistics: average, standard deviation, correlation coefficient, significant figures. Methods for quantitative analysis: calibration line, internal standard, standard additions, internal normalization. Classical analytical methods. Sampling: water, air, soil. Sample preservation. In-situ analysis probes . On-site/on-line analysis of air and water. Sample preparation: milling, drying, filtering, concentrating. Use of an analytical scale. Weighing and related errors. Sample digestion (wet, microwaves, Kjeldahl). Solid-liquid extraction. Vapour current extraction. Soxhlet extraction. Accelerated solvent extraction. Ultrasound assisted extraction. Extraction with supercritical fluids. Percolation. Liquid-liquid extraction (theory, pH effect, use of chelating ligands, continuous extractors using solvents more/less dense than water, Lickens-Nickerson extractor).

Chemical Equilibrium. Systematic treatment of Equilibrium. Acid-base equilibria. Phase partition Equilibrium: application to partition chromatography. Fundamentals of chromatographic techniques (adsorption, partition, ion-exchange, affinity, size-exclusion) and detectors. Fundamentals of UV-visible spectroscopy: theory, transmittance, absorbance, Lambert-Beer equation. Lambert-Beer equation limits. Spectrophotometer scheme.

b) Classroom exercises (24 hours).
Students apply basic concepts (mole, equivalent, concentration, and dilution) to solve problems of analytical chemistry. Students are also requested to do some homework with subsequent correction during the class.

c) Laboratory experiments (16 hours).
Students apply to experimental work some of the lecture subjects and stoichiometric exercises. He/she gets used to staying in a laboratory and manipulate basic chemical labware. At the end of each experiment, students write a report.

Readings/Bibliography

Daniel C. Harris, QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS, 9th Ed., W.H. Freeman and Co., NY, 2016.

I. Bertini, C. Luchinat, F. Mani STECHIOMETRIA. UN AVVIO ALLO STUDIO DELLA CHIMICA, V Ed., Casa Editrice Ambrosiana (distribuzione esclusiva Zanichelli), 2009.

R. Cozzi, P. Protti, T. Ruaro, ELEMENTI DI ANALISI CHIMICA STRUMENTALE, II Ed., Zanichelli, 2013.

APAT, Manuale per le Indagini Ambientali nei Siti Contaminati, APAT Manuali e Linee Guida 43, 2006 (disponibile in rete).

Teaching methods

The course comprises lectures (24 hours), classroom exercises (24 hours), laboratory experiments (16 hours). During the lectures, the principles of an analytical sequence will be explained. The exercises consist of stoichiometric calculations. In the laboratory classes, the students will apply some of the analytical techniques and stoichiometric calculations which have learned during the lectures.

Assessment methods

At the final exam, students start with a brief written test about stoichiometry. When the written test is passed, an oral discussion about the lecture subjects and the laboratory experiences begins. The scores of the above checks as well as the evaluation of lab skills and written reports contribute to the overall score.

It is mandatory attending lectures and lab practices.

Rule 1. Admission to the final exam is allowed to the students who:
a. have attended 43/48 lectures
b. have handed over all the experience reports within the official deadline (which will be communicated in due time).

Rule 2. Admission to the final exam is subjected to the compliance of the above rules. Exceptions will be granted for medical reasons upon appropriate certification.

Rule 3. Intermediate written tests will be scheduled and scored as an opportunity alternative to later and official test dates..

Teaching tools

Blackboard; power-point and other similar softwares; instruments which can be studied and/or used in laboratory.

Teaching materials published on AMS Campus web site.

Office hours

See the website of Guido Galletti