CHEM 3111 - Chemistry III

This course is foundational to all Level 3 studies in Chemistry. It will commence with the use of spectroscopic techniques, particularly IR & NMR, and mass spectrometry for the determination of chemical structures. A review of molecular symmetry with applications to molecular orbitals and spectroscopy will be described, and the spectroscopic interaction of matter with varying forms of radiation will be examined, including the phenomena of absorption, fluorescence and phosphorescence. A variety of spectroscopies will be explored in detail. Strategies for solving problems related to chemical composition, reaction mechanisms and structure will be emphasised, with a particular focus on physical organic chemistry and statistics in chemistry. Strategies and tactics used in the synthesis of new molecular architectures will be introduced, and there will be an emphasis on developing a logical approach to planning a synthesis. This includes an introduction to inorganic reaction mechanisms and fundamental aspects of organometallic chemistry.