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CHM424

Non Aqueous Solvents

  • Sciences
  • 400 level
  • 2 credit units
  • 107 pages
  • 7 units

This course introduces students to the chemistry of non-aqueous solvents, exploring their properties, classifications, and applications. It covers solute-solvent interactions, acid-base concepts in non-aqueous systems, and the chemistry of selected solvents like liquid ammonia, sulfuric acid, and sulfur dioxide. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of solvent behavior beyond aqueous media, emphasizing their importance in various chemical processes and analyses.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
120 hours
Maths
Basic
Content
Theoretical
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

CHM424 · UNIT 1: Properties of solvents

Based on polarity, solvents can be classified as polar and non-polar. As a rule, polar solvent (such as water) are those that dissolve polar compounds while nonpolar compounds are dissolved by non-polar solvents.

What you should be able to do

  1. Explain the physical properties of non-aqueous solvents and their significance.
  2. Classify non-aqueous solvents based on various principles.
  3. Describe the different types of solute-solvent interactions.
  4. Discuss the chemistry of selected non-aqueous solvents.
  5. Compare and contrast the behavior of non-aqueous solvents with aqueous media.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Chemist
  • Laboratory Technician
  • Chemical Analyst
  • Research Scientist
Where it is applied
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Petrochemicals
  • Research and Development
  • Chemical Manufacturing

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 2:

    Unit 2: Solvent- solute interactions

    Understanding the subtle interplay between various intermolecular forces requires a strong foundation in physical chemistry and molecular interactions.

  • Module 3:

    Unit 2: Liquid oxides and halides

    The diverse chemical behaviors of liquid dinitrogen tetroxide, liquid sulfur (IV) oxide, and liquid halides require memorization of specific reactions and conditions.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 65 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1:
    • Unit 1: Properties of solvents · 3 hours

      Read the introduction to nonaqueous solvents.. Study the physical parameters used to identify solvents.. Review viscosity, melting and boiling points, heat of vaporization, relative permittivity, and refractive index..

  2. Week 2Module 1:
    • Unit 2: Acids, Basesand solvent properties · 3 hours

      Study Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and solvent system concepts.. Understand aprotic acid-base, Lux flood, and Lewis concepts.. Learn about autoionization in relation to solvents..

  3. Week 3Module 2:
    • Unit 1: General classification of solvents · 3 hours

      Study the classification of solvents based on acidic, basic, and amphiprotic properties.. Understand protonic, aprotic, coordinating, and inert solvents.. Review examples of each type of solvent..

  4. Week 4Module 2:
    • Unit 2: Solvent- solute interactions · 3 hours

      Study electronegativity, partial charge, and dipole moment.. Understand solvent-solute interactions and solvation.. Review the four major forces of interaction between solvent and solute..

  5. Week 5Module 3:
    • Unit 1: OXYHALIDE · 3 hours

      Study the solvent properties of nitrosyl chloride.. Study the solvent properties of phosphoryl chloride.. Compare and contrast the properties of the two solvents..

  6. Week 6Module 3:
    • Unit 2: Liquid oxides and halides · 3 hours

      Study the non-aqueous chemistry of liquid dinitrogen tetroxide.. Study the non-aqueous chemistry of liquid sulphur (IV) oxide.. Study the non-aqueous chemistry of liquid halides..

  7. Week 7Module 3:
    • Unit 3: Protic solvents · 3 hours

      Study the properties of liquid ammonia as a protic solvent.. Study the properties of acetic acid as a protic solvent.. Study the properties of anhydrous sulphuric acid as a protic solvent.. Study the properties of hydrogen fluoride as a protic solvent..

  8. Week 8Module 1:
    • Unit 1: Properties of solvents · 4 hours

      Revise Module 1 Units 1 and 2. Attempt all TMAs questions. Make notes for revision.

    • Unit 2: Acids, Basesand solvent properties · 4 hours

      Revise Module 1 Units 1 and 2. Attempt all TMAs questions. Make notes for revision.

  9. Week 9Module 2:
    • Unit 1: General classification of solvents · 4 hours

      Revise Module 2 Units 1 and 2. Attempt all TMAs questions. Make notes for revision.

    • Unit 2: Solvent- solute interactions · 4 hours

      Revise Module 2 Units 1 and 2. Attempt all TMAs questions. Make notes for revision.

  10. Week 10Module 3:
    • Unit 1: OXYHALIDE · 4 hours

      Revise Module 3 Units 1, 2 and 3. Attempt all TMAs questions. Make notes for revision.

    • Unit 2: Liquid oxides and halides · 4 hours

      Revise Module 3 Units 1, 2 and 3. Attempt all TMAs questions. Make notes for revision.

  11. Week 11Module 3:
    • Unit 3: Protic solvents · 4 hours

      Revise Module 3 Units 1, 2 and 3. Attempt all TMAs questions. Make notes for revision.

  12. Week 12Module 1:
    • Unit 1: Properties of solvents · 8 hours

      Complete all assignments. Revise all modules. Make notes for revision.

  13. Week 13Module 1:
    • Unit 1: Properties of solvents · 8 hours

      Complete all assignments. Revise all modules. Make notes for revision.

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create flashcards for each solvent, listing its key properties, reactions, and uses.
  • Practice solving numerical problems related to dielectric constant, dipole moment, and solubility parameters.
  • Develop concept maps linking acid-base theories (Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, Lewis) to solvent systems.
  • Focus on understanding the autoionization reactions of different solvents and their implications.
  • Review all tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and address any areas of weakness.
  • Create a table comparing and contrasting the properties of protic and aprotic solvents.
  • Practice writing chemical equations for reactions in non-aqueous solvents.

Questions students ask about this course

What is CHM424 about?

This course introduces students to the chemistry of non-aqueous solvents, exploring their properties, classifications, and applications. It covers solute-solvent interactions, acid-base concepts in non-aqueous systems, and the chemistry of selected solvents like liquid ammonia, sulfuric acid, and sulfur dioxide. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of solvent behavior beyond aqueous media, emphasizing their importance in various chemical processes and analyses.

How many units does CHM424 have?

CHM424, Non Aqueous Solvents, has 7 units across 3 modules, over 107 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is CHM424?

CHM424 carries 2 credit units, at 400 level in Sciences.

Is CHM424 hard?

CHM424 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.

How long does CHM424 take to study?

About 120 hours of study, spread across its 7 units.

How is CHM424 assessed?

CHM424 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with CHM424?

Chemist, Laboratory Technician, Chemical Analyst and Research Scientist.

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