We will examine the nature of molecular motions and their interaction with electromagnetic radiation, which provides us with all our structural information about molecules. In addition, students will be introduced to to important techniques such as the fundamentals of infrared (I.R.), nuclear magnetic resonance (N.M.R.), UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies, and electrochemistry. The concepts of these techniques will be discussed in the context of structural organic chemistry and polymer characterization.
Properties of matter, basic bonding theory, Lewis structures and molecular orbitals, intermolecular forces. Redox reactions, solution thermodynamics, colligative properties, balancing of chemical reactions. Reaction kinetics, equilibrium processes, acid-base chemistry and principles of thermodynamics (entropy, free energy). See CH 1010, CH 1020 and CH 1030.