To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

Learning outcomes

The course aims to bring students to a basic and essentially descriptive understanding of the physico-chemical properties of the main classes of organic compounds with particular emphasis on their implications in animal toxicity and environmental pollution. In particular, it will seek to highlight the central role played by few elements (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Oxygen) in the structure-reactivity of the organic compounds which are most relevant from the environmental point of view.
At the end of the course the student will be able to recognize the functional groups present in a certain organic compound, predict the polarity and their main physico-chemical characteristics .

Program

Introduction. The chemical peculiarities of the carbon atom. Hybridization sp3, sp2 and sp. Intramolecular forces (chemical bonds) and intermolecular forces in organic compounds. Covalent bonding in carbon compounds, types of bonding, polarity of bonds. Functional groups.
Alkanes: structure, isomerism, nomenclature, properties, combustion reaction.
Alkenes: structure, chemical and physical properties, nomenclature, isomerism.
Benzene and aromatic compounds: structure, nomenclature.
Alcohols and Phenols: structure, properties, nomenclature, natural occurrence
Halogen derivatives: structure, properties.
Aldehydes and ketones: structure, properties, Redox reactions
Carboxylic acids: structure, properties, acidity, nomenclature
Carboxylic acid derivatives: esters, amides, acid chlorides, anhydrides. Amino acids
Phase diagrams of organic substances. A guide to reading of their MSDS chart (physico-chemical properties). The logP scale

Examination Methods

The verification of the Organic Chemistry module is sustained by a written test performed simultaneously with that of the General and Inorganic Chemistry. An eventual oral examination is required only in the event of a dubious written test. The written test consists in a set of open questions and numeric calculations to solve simple organic chemistry exercises. Typicall, the time available for the this text is 1 hour.
The number and the dates of the examinations are decided in accordance with the Course-program instructions; time-schedule examinations are published at the beginning of each semester. To enrol for the final-examination the student must exclusively utilize the information processing system (Esse3).