CH339 Qualitative Organic Analysis Lab Spring 1997

Tips for success in Qualitative Organic Analysis Lab:

1. Plan ahead. Anticipate possible scenarios. You may want to prepare a flow chart to guide your investigative process.

2. Use your in-lab time wisely. Collect as much GOOD data as possible during each lab section. Learn how to multitask: for example, try to collect data on one unknown while you work on recrystallizing a derivative for your other unknown.

3. Dedicate time to think and plan outside of lab and lectures. This is a demanding class and requires a significant time commitment.

4. Use library resources wisely. Assemble your data and analyze what it means before you hit the tables of organic compounds and spectra books. Randomly leafing through the spectra books will likely waste your time.

5. Keep a good laboratory notebook. Make sure that you accurately record all data directly into your notebook. Remember that you must have your notebook and spectra with you when you talk to an instructor or TA about your unknowns.

6. Protect your unknowns and derivatives. If you have a liquid derivative, make sure you keep it tightly capped. Label all samples (unknowns or derivatives) so that they will not be inadvertently thrown out or mistaken for another sample.

7. Keep your glassware clean so that if will be available for immediate use.

The first day of lab:

0. Before coming to your lab section you should read sections 8.1 and 8.4 "Characterization of an Unknown Compound," in the Pasto, Johnson and Miller (PJ&M) text.

1. Quickly check-in to your locker if you don't already have one.

2. Get your A and B unknowns.

3. Write down the physical properties of your unknowns (Step 1 in Section 8.1 in PJ&M).

4. Solids: Get melting points.

Liquids: Get boiling point, refractive index and density.

5. If time permits, perform solubility tests (section 8.4 in PJ&M. There is a nice solubility chart on page 479 in Pavia).

6. Based on solubility tests, start relevant functional group test(s), if you have time (Chapter 9 in PJ&M).