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This unit will provide a description of: atomic structure and molecular structure using various models for chemical bonding; the structure and properties of aromatic and heteroaromatic molecules; the phenomena of electron delocalisation (resonance); to explain aspects of conformation, isomerism and chirality within molecules; to provide an introduction to the thermodynamics of solutions; to cover key concepts in chemical reaction kinetics and redox processes.

This unit is delivered in “flipped learning” format, where the students are expected to carry out the initial learning from online materials (videos, online questions and quizzes). This self-directed learning will be followed by weekly live interactive sessions (question and answer sessions, worked examples) to consolidate understanding.

Students taking this unit should have A-Level Chemistry at grade B or above, or the equivalent. 

The unit aims to outline the basic principles of chemistry that will be relevant to an understanding of key biological molecules and biochemical processes. The unit continues in semester 2 (see CHEM10022). This unit is delivered in “flipped learning” format, where the students are expected to carry out the initial learning from online materials (videos, online questions and quizzes). This self-directed learning will be followed by weekly live interactive sessions (question and answer sessions, worked examples) to consolidate understanding.

On successful completion of CHEM10021, a student will be able to

• Apply chemical kinetic concepts in calculations to determine reaction rates, rate laws, rate constants and activation energies.
• Apply the Laws of Thermodynamics to example reactions.
• Describe and explain aromaticity and the properties of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds.
• Describe and explain the nature of molecular and hybrid orbitals in molecules dictates the geometry and chemical properties of the molecules.
• Describe and explain the nature of matter and the formation of chemical bonds.

• Bonding and Molecular Structure
  •    Understanding the nature of matter (development of atomic theory)
  •    Orbitals, electronic structure, periodicity
  •    Chemical bonding I: Lewis structures
  •    Molecular geometry (VSEPR), bond polarity
  •    Chemical bonding II: orbital hybridisation (carbon, nitrogen and oxygen)
  •    Chemical bonding III: molecular orbitals
  •    Electron delocalization (resonance) with biologically relevant examples
  •    Understanding the phenomena of aromaticity in organic molecules
  Conformation, Isomerism and Chirality
  •    Representing organic molecules as chemical structures
  •    Rotation about single bonds
  •    Conformations of simple molecules
  •    Stereoisomerism and chirality
  Energetics, rates and redox processes
  •    Physical states of matter
  •    First law of thermodynamics: work, heat, internal energy, enthalpy and Hess’s law
  •    Second law of thermodynamics: entropy 
  •    Gibbs energy, chemical equilibrium, equilibrium constant, reaction quotient
  •    Dependence of equilibrium constant on temperature
  •    Experimental chemical kinetics
  •    Rates of reaction: instantaneous rate, rate law, rate constant, reaction order
  •    Integrated rate laws: first order reactions, second order reactions, half lives
  •    Dependence of rate constant on temperature, Arrhenius equation, catalysis
  •    Redox processes: oxidation, reduction, electrochemical series