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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. Electrophilic addition reactions.
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 log scale P

Examination Methods