CHE 327 Organic Chemistry Laboratory Notes

Organic Chemistry Laboratory Course Overview

  • Course Code: CHE 327

  • Instructor: Dr. Saj Hossain

  • Office Hours: Tuesday 9:30-10:30 AM, Chemistry Rm 370C

  • Communication Platform: Brightspace

  • Course Notification: Turn on notifications on Brightspace for announcements, grading keys, syllabus updates, and changes to lab procedures or assignment deadlines.

Course Communication

  • Chemistry-related Questions:

    • Best asked in person during lab or office hours.

  • Personal Matters:

    • Use Stony Brook email:

    • Include: , , in subject line

    • Response time: Up to 2 business days, longer on weekends/holidays.

Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN)

  • Mandatory purchase through Labflow.

  • Contents of ELN:

    • Section I: Introduction, glassware, equipment, safety, lab notebook guidelines.

    • Section II: Laboratory techniques.

    • Section III: All experiments.

    • Lab Assignments:

    • Pre-Lab Assignments: Available 7 days before lab, close before lab session starts.

    • Lab Notebook Pages: Open at the start of the lab, close 10 minutes before lab ends.

    • Product & Post-Lab Assignments: Open during final data collection, remain for 24 hours post-lab for submission.

Grading Breakdown

  • Course Total: 400 points

    • Lecture Quizzes: 10 points

    • Theory Quizzes (2): 90 points

    • Notebook Checks and Lab Etiquette: 120 points

    • Product & Post-lab Assignments: 180 points

  • Emphasis on safety, detailed lab notebook recording, independent work, and mastery of techniques.

Lab Etiquette & Notebook Expectations

Lab Etiquette Grade

  • Based on:

    • Preparedness: Come ready with materials and knowledge.

    • Independence: Work without assistance.

    • Safety: Adhere strictly to safety protocols.

    • Time Management: Starting on time and ensuring cleanup before the lab ends.

    • Consideration: Respect others and maintain clean work areas.

Lab Notebook Expectations

  • Data Integrity: Record accurate observations in real-time.

  • Observations should include detailed descriptions e.g., color, texture, notable changes, etc.

  • Avoid vague statements.

  • Any AI-generated entries will be flagged.

Data and Observations in ELN

  • Record TLC & column data images which must include:

    • TLC plates under UV/light.

    • Experimental setups.

    • Product images.

    • Spectroscopic data.

    • Specific details such as coloration, measurements (mass to three decimal places, volume to one decimal place), etc.

Product & Post-Lab Assignment Guidelines

Product Submission

  • Must be submitted at the end of each experiment (except Simple Distillation).

  • Graded on**:

    • Labeling accuracy.

    • Purity.

    • Yield.

  • Failure to produce a product results in a zero grade, but post-lab points may still be earned based on completion using stockroom refills.

Post-Lab Submission

  • Due within 24 hours of the lab.

  • Best practice: Submit reports immediately to avoid deadline misses.

Lecture & Theory Quizzes

Lecture Quizzes

  • In-class clicker quizzes.

  • Points distributed: 0.5 for participation, 1 for correctness.

  • Total points available: 10 points (maximum achievable due to missed first lecture).

Theory Quizzes

  • Frequency: Twice during lectures.

  • Duration: 40 minutes.

  • Points: 45 each.

Token Economy System

  • Incentives: Earn tokens through lab performance.

How to Earn Tokens

  • Introduction Quiz (80% or higher): 10 tokens.

  • Pre-lab Quizzes (80% or higher): 2 tokens each.

  • Timely Notebook Submissions: 1 token each.

  • On-time Post-lab Reports: 1 token each.

Token Usage

  • Post-lab extension: 10 tokens.

  • Regrade requests: 5 tokens.

Absence Policy

  • Requires completion of all laboratory hours for a course grade.

  • Protocol for missed labs includes attending makeup sessions or completing subsequent parts during next lab session.

  • Missing more than one lab session can lead to failure or incomplete grades in course.

Required Materials

  1. Electronic Lab Notebook.

  2. Chemical-resistant gloves.

  3. Combination lock.

  4. Chemical splash goggles (ANSI Z87+ standard).

  5. Labeling marker.

  6. Optional: Nitrile gloves.

Laboratory Safety Practices

  • Strong emphasis on lab safety due to hazardous nature (

    • volatile, flammable, toxic chemicals).

  • Address modes of chemical entry:

    • Inhalation of vapors, skin absorption, ingestion, and injection from equipment risks.

  • Use chemical fume hoods to minimize exposure to hazards.

Chemical Labeling

  • Globally Harmonized System (GHS) involves:

    • Hazard pictograms.

    • Signal words.

    • Hazard statements explanations (e.g., dangers involved).

Waste Disposal

  • Specific protocols for liquid and solid waste disposal (e.g. chemical waste, broken glass).

    • Importance of correct disposal to maintain lab safety and environmental standards.

Emergency Procedures

  • Know emergency procedures, including methods for accidental spills, cuts, fires, and evacuations.

  • Properly reported to TAs for assistance during an emergency.

Lab Check-In Process

  • Steps for inventory check and familiarize with lab operations and safety protocols.

Crystallization Theory

  • Crystallization is a primary purification method for solids.

  • Key steps:

    • Nucleation and crystal growth from hot saturated solutions to achieve desired purity.

Steps of Crystallization

  1. Finding proper solvent.

  2. Dissolving solid in the solvent.

  3. Gravity filtration for insoluble impurities.

  4. Cooling to encourage crystallization.

  5. Collecting crystals via vacuum filtration.

  6. Washing and drying the crystals.

Percent Recovery

  • Method to determine the efficiency of crystallization:

    • Percent Recovery Formula: racextFinalMassextInitialMassimes100rac{{ ext{Final Mass}}}{{ ext{Initial Mass}}} imes 100

Extraction and Understanding Solubility

  • Key differences between solid-liquid extraction and liquid-liquid extraction.

  • Solubility principles: ‘like dissolves like’.

Melting Point Theory

  • Melting point assessments are vital for confirming compound identity and purity, measured as a range.

  • Impacts on melting point help understand sample purity and determine sample validity.

Assignment Overview and Reminders

  • Review upcoming lab protocols and safety measures before entering the lab.

  • Complete assigned readings prior to lab check-in.