CHM2011

Chemistry

Professor Keith Murray

8 points - Four 1-hour lectures and one 4-hour laboratory per week - First semester - Clayton - Prerequisites: CHM1011 and CHM1022 or CHM1031 and CHM1042; six points of first-year mathematics which should include MAT1010 or MAT1050 or permission of the head of department - Prohibition: CHM2111, CHM2121.

Objectives On completion of this subject students should understand the basic concepts of valency; understand the way in which atomic and molecular orbitals are used to explain and predict atomic and molecular properties; comprehend the fundamental ideas of electronic and vibrational spectroscopy; know the relationships between orbital theory, spectroscopy and atomic and molecular properties; review some of the techniques commonly used for analysis of environmental pollutants; describe atomic and molecular spectroscopic techniques and their application to analyses of sediments, waters, air and biota, and the use of high-performance liquid chromatography and ion chromatography for separation and analysis of organic and inorganic pollutants; appreciate that an understanding of the chemistry of carbon compounds is essential to understanding chemistry; have knowledge of the reactions which organic compounds undergo and an understanding of how and why these reactions take place, given that many reactions proceed through reactive intermediates; review and provide an appreciation of (1) ligands and ligand behaviour, (2) transition metal chemistry, (3) the nomenclature of coordination compounds, (4) bonding in transition metal complexes, and (5) stability, electronic spectra and magnetic properties of transition metal complexes.

Synopsis There are four topics discussed and special attention is given to environmental analytical chemistry, coordination chemistry focusing on the rich chemistry of the transition elements, the chemistry of reactive intermediates in organic reactions and the development of approaches to understanding bonding and the spectroscopic properties of molecules. A detailed subject outline will be available at enrolment. Four lectures on occupational health and safety matters are given in the early part of the semester.

Assessment Examinations (2x2.5 hours. May include a small number of problem-solving tests in some units): 70% - Laboratory work: 30%

Prescribed texts

To be advised on enrolment

Back to the 1999 Science Handbook