MChem Chemistry with Industrial Experience / Course details

Knowledge covering the 'principles of modern physical chemistry' is presented primarily in lectures. This material is reinforced in problem-based workshops, in which students are expected to participate and demonstrate their understanding of the topics.

This unit aims to: present core physical chemistry courses on statistical thermodynamics, potential energy surfaces, photochemistry and physcial-organic chemistry.

On successful completion of the course students should be able to:

• explain the key steps in teh derivation of the Boltzmann distribution;
• select and apply the tools of statistical thermodynamics to predict gaseous properties;
• apply the concept of potential energy surfaces to explain the basis of chemical reaction dynamics for small molecules;
• select and apply concepts in transition-state theory and the Eyring equation to predict and explain dynamical and kinetic behaviour in small molecules;
• explain the intensity of absorption of light and the probability of primary photophyscial processes using simple quantum-mechanical arguments and Jablonski diagrams;
• rationalise simple photochemical processes and reaction in terms of electronic excited states;
• identify appropriate light sources for spectroscopic and photochemical measurements based on their characteristics and properties;
• explain the detailed nature of the relationship between free energy, equilibrium constant, and reactivity in the context of organic chemistry;
• design experiments to measure and rationalise chemical reaction mechanisms;
• apply the principles of physical and physical-organic chemistry to explain and rationalise the structure and properties of topical supramolecular materials.

Students should be able to:

• use statistical thermodynamics to predict gaseous properties
• understand the use of potential energy surfaces to study reaction dynamics
• appreciate the synergy of kinetics and thermodynamics
• understand the interaction of light with matter
• understand modern experimental methods to study reaction dynamics
• understand the theoretical framework of NMR spectroscopy

Knowledge covering the ‘principles of modern physical chemistry’ is presented primarily in lectures.  This material is reinforced in tutorials, in which students are expected to participate and demonstrate their understanding of the topics.

• Problem-solving skills, numeracy and mathematical skills, analytical skills

Students will attend three problem-based workshops during the course, at which they will discuss and work on (with supervision) questions based on the taught material.

• P Atkins and J de Paula, Atkins’ Physical Chemistry (10th Ed), OUP, 2014
• A. Maczek, Statistical Thermodynamics, Oxford Chemistry Primers, 58, OUP, 1998
• C.E. Wayne and R.P. Wayne, Photochemistry, Oxford Chemistry Primers, 39, OUP, 1996
• J.I Steinfield, J.S Francisco & W.L Hase, Chemical Kinetics and Dynamics, Chapters 7 & 10.
• H. Maskill, The Physical Basis of Organic Chemistry OUP, 1985. ISBN 9780198551997
• E.V. Anslyn and D. A. Dougherty, Modern Physical Organic Chemistry (University Science Books, 2006) ISBN 9781891389319
• J W Steed and J L Atwood, Supramolecular Chemistry (Wiley, 2000) ISBN 0471987918
• P Beer, P Gale and D K Smith, Supramolecular Chemistry, OUP, 1999. ISBN 9780198504474.