School of Chemistry
Organic Chemistry 3
Laboratory Manual
2022-2023
,Contents
Introduction 1
Online pre-lab resources 3
Laboratory safety and good practice 4
Compound characterisation 5
Auto-graded online reports 6
Final report 6
Experiment 1 – NMR experiment 8
Experiment 2 – TLC to Monitor Reaction Progress 9
Experiment 3 – Multi-step synthesis 13
Experiment 4 – Column chromatography for separation 20
Experiment 5 – Inert environments in synthesis 25
Experiment 6 – Distillation for separation 35
The Unknowns 43
Structure Research workshop & presentation 43
Appendix A – Laboratory techniques 44
Appendix B – Chemistry laboratories safety 49
Appendix C – Chemistry safety policy 54
,Laboratory Manual Org 3 Lab
Introduction
Welcome to the Organic Chemistry 3 laboratory! The course takes place in the
Cullen Laboratory on Level 3 of the Joseph Black Building. The laboratory cohort will
be split into groups each week. The allocation of days of lab work and online work
will be announced separately via Moodle.
The purpose of this course is to develop your practical skills in organic chemistry, and
to introduce you to commonly used equipment and analytical techniques. The course
will also improve your scientific report writing, and will delve deeper into the organic
reactions you meet during lectures. We hope this course piques your interest as a
budding organic chemist!
As you will see in the following pages, the course consists of five experiments,
one analytical experiment and the unknowns, which each student must
complete individually, either in the lab or online. Each lab-based experiment will
have a dedicated post-graduate demonstrator present for safety, to help you if
necessary, and to explain anything you are unsure of. Each experiment is also
designated to a specific area and fume hood in the laboratory, where specialised
glassware, chemicals, and waste disposal, can be found.
These experiments are designed to provide you with a breadth of experience in
organic synthesis and relate closely to organic lecture courses in the third year. Each
lab-based experiment will take no more than two days to complete.
You will be supplied with a lab book to record results and observations in
the laboratory. However, for each lab-based experiment an online auto-graded lab
report must be completed via Moodle. The auto-graded post-lab allows you to receive
real-time feedback on your data, and guides you through what is expected in your
report. This resource has been put in place to help you make the most of scientific
writing, to ensure that you receive timely feedback on your work, and to maintain
consistency in lab marking. Your Moodle report must be completed by midnight one
week after finishing the experiment in the lab. Marks will be deducted for any late
submission of reports.
1
, Laboratory Manual Org 3 Lab
Each experiment will be marked out of 20, with 5 marks given for the online
pre-lab quiz (see page 4), and a maximum of 15 marks given for the auto-graded online
report.
In addition, each student will perform the analytical NMR Experiment, which will
also be marked with a total of 20 marks. Building up on the NMR Experiment, each
student will receive the task of identifying an unknown compound via spectroscopic
data.
Please also note that Dr David France will deliver spectroscopy workshops
during Week 1 of term. Details on the delivery of the workshops will be posted on
Moodle.
Furthermore, you find a video introduction on the chemistry software
ChemDraw prepared by Dr Ciorsdaidh Watts on Moodle.
I look forward to welcoming you to the Organic Chemistry 3 laboratory in person.
Dr Bernhard Schmidt
(Organic Chemistry 3 Laboratory Coordinator, Office B4-18a, Extension 8469)
2
Organic Chemistry 3
Laboratory Manual
2022-2023
,Contents
Introduction 1
Online pre-lab resources 3
Laboratory safety and good practice 4
Compound characterisation 5
Auto-graded online reports 6
Final report 6
Experiment 1 – NMR experiment 8
Experiment 2 – TLC to Monitor Reaction Progress 9
Experiment 3 – Multi-step synthesis 13
Experiment 4 – Column chromatography for separation 20
Experiment 5 – Inert environments in synthesis 25
Experiment 6 – Distillation for separation 35
The Unknowns 43
Structure Research workshop & presentation 43
Appendix A – Laboratory techniques 44
Appendix B – Chemistry laboratories safety 49
Appendix C – Chemistry safety policy 54
,Laboratory Manual Org 3 Lab
Introduction
Welcome to the Organic Chemistry 3 laboratory! The course takes place in the
Cullen Laboratory on Level 3 of the Joseph Black Building. The laboratory cohort will
be split into groups each week. The allocation of days of lab work and online work
will be announced separately via Moodle.
The purpose of this course is to develop your practical skills in organic chemistry, and
to introduce you to commonly used equipment and analytical techniques. The course
will also improve your scientific report writing, and will delve deeper into the organic
reactions you meet during lectures. We hope this course piques your interest as a
budding organic chemist!
As you will see in the following pages, the course consists of five experiments,
one analytical experiment and the unknowns, which each student must
complete individually, either in the lab or online. Each lab-based experiment will
have a dedicated post-graduate demonstrator present for safety, to help you if
necessary, and to explain anything you are unsure of. Each experiment is also
designated to a specific area and fume hood in the laboratory, where specialised
glassware, chemicals, and waste disposal, can be found.
These experiments are designed to provide you with a breadth of experience in
organic synthesis and relate closely to organic lecture courses in the third year. Each
lab-based experiment will take no more than two days to complete.
You will be supplied with a lab book to record results and observations in
the laboratory. However, for each lab-based experiment an online auto-graded lab
report must be completed via Moodle. The auto-graded post-lab allows you to receive
real-time feedback on your data, and guides you through what is expected in your
report. This resource has been put in place to help you make the most of scientific
writing, to ensure that you receive timely feedback on your work, and to maintain
consistency in lab marking. Your Moodle report must be completed by midnight one
week after finishing the experiment in the lab. Marks will be deducted for any late
submission of reports.
1
, Laboratory Manual Org 3 Lab
Each experiment will be marked out of 20, with 5 marks given for the online
pre-lab quiz (see page 4), and a maximum of 15 marks given for the auto-graded online
report.
In addition, each student will perform the analytical NMR Experiment, which will
also be marked with a total of 20 marks. Building up on the NMR Experiment, each
student will receive the task of identifying an unknown compound via spectroscopic
data.
Please also note that Dr David France will deliver spectroscopy workshops
during Week 1 of term. Details on the delivery of the workshops will be posted on
Moodle.
Furthermore, you find a video introduction on the chemistry software
ChemDraw prepared by Dr Ciorsdaidh Watts on Moodle.
I look forward to welcoming you to the Organic Chemistry 3 laboratory in person.
Dr Bernhard Schmidt
(Organic Chemistry 3 Laboratory Coordinator, Office B4-18a, Extension 8469)
2
