FONDAMENTI DI CHIMICA GENERALE, INORGANICA ED ORGANICA
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: Maria Elena FRAGALA'Expected Learning Outcomes
The Course introduces the fundamental principles of the atomic structure of matter, chemical bonding, states of aggregation of matter, its properties and transformations (General and Inorganic Chemistry), and provides a basic knowledge of the nomenclature, structure and reactivity of the main functional groups present in organic molecules (Organic Chemistry).
As learning outcomes, it is expected to have a thorough understanding of i) the atomic model and its application to electronic configurations and the periodic table; ii) the aspects of thermochemistry and kinetics covered; iii) the theory of acids and bases; iv) chemical equilibrium. It is also desirable to be able to i) develop Lewis formulas; ii) predict stereochemistry using VSEPR theory; iii) perform simple stoichiometry calculations (including balancing reactions); iv) knowledge of the nomenclature of organic substances and functional groups in organic chemistry; vi) knowledge of the stereochemistry of organic molecules and their three-dimensional orientation in space; VI) knowledge of the reactivity of compounds
Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge of the physical principles and fundamental concepts of general chemistry, of the chemistry of the elements of the s-p block in relation to their electronic and structural properties and of the main organic compounds.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to problems of practical interest, often related to both basic research and processes of industrial interest.
Autonomy of judgment
The student will be able to process what has been learned and will be able to recognize the "real" cases and specific problems in which the learned chemical principles can be used.
Communication skills
Develop an ability to express oneself using appropriate terminology, both in oral and written form. Group discussion and the ability to reach the result through a process of synthesis of the contributions that emerged in the discussion will be encouraged in the exercises. At the end of the course, the student will be able to describe the topics of general, inorganic and organic chemistry with language skills and confidence in exposition.
Learning ability
Learning ability. At the end of the course the student will be able to analyze, apply and integrate the knowledge acquired with what will be learned in subsequent courses, with particular reference to scientific disciplines based on aspects and processes governed by chemical-molecular phenomena
Course Structure
Frontal lessons in the classroom, supported by slides, in which exercises will be carried out to consolidate the quantitative aspects of general chemistry. The teaching is held in Italian.
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the educational objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Inclusion - Services for Disabilities and/or DSA) referent teachers of our Department.
If the conditions require the delivery of teaching in mixed or distance mode, the necessary changes may be introduced with respect to what was previously declared, in order to respect the planned program and reported in the syllabus.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Introduction to chemistry - Matter and its states of aggregation*, the scientific method, the three levels of chemistry, matter and its units of measurement*, significant figures, pure elementary substances* and compounds* and homogeneous* and heterogeneous mixtures*. Chemical nomenclature* - Elements* and their representation, oxidation number*, classification of inorganic compounds*, ionic* and molecular compounds*, traditional nomenclature* and IUPAC.* Chemical reactions* - Representation*, Lavosier's law of conservation of mass*, balancing*, combustion reactions, precipitation reactions,* reactions that develop gas, acid-base reactions*, redox reactions* and their balancing*.
Atom Generalities- Rutherford experiment, planetary atomic model, atomic number*, mass number*, isotopes*, isotopic abundance, mass defect, atomic mass unit* (amu), relative atomic mass*, molecular mass*, mole*, minimal formula*, molecular formula*, extended formula, structural formula, weight percentages.
Structure of matter- Bohr atomic model,* quantum mechanical model, quantum numbers, Pauli principle,* Hund's rule*, electronic configuration*.
Periodic table- Periodicity*, atomic radius,* ionic radius, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity*. Chemical bonding- Lewis structures* and the octet rule*, exceptions to the octet rule, molecular geometry, VSEPR theory*, bond energy, ionic bond,* covalent bond,* dative bond,* hydrogen bond,* valence orbital theory,* hybridization, resonance.
The gaseous state- Pressure*, Boyle's law, Charles's law, Gay-Lussac's law, Avogadro's hypothesis, the ideal gas law*, gas mixtures and Dalton's law*, kinetic-molecular theory*, Graham's law, real gases*.
The liquid state- Properties, viscosity, surface tension and vapor pressure.* State transitions- Water state diagram*
Thermodynamics- State functions, first law*, second law*, entropy* and free energy*, spontaneity of processes*.
Solutions*-Molarity*, Mole fraction, Molality, mass percentage, density*, Raoult's law, colligative properties*, electrolytes*, degree of dissociation, Van't Hoff coefficient
Chemical equilibrium*-Law of mass action*, equilibrium constant*, dependence of the equilibrium constant on Temperature, factors that influence equilibrium*. Acids and bases*- Strength of acids and bases, dissociation constant*, amphoteric electrolytes, ionic product of water*, pH calculation*, pH indicators. Salt hydrolysis- Hydrolysis constant, pH of hydrolysis, Buffer solutions*, strong acid-strong base titrations*, , solubility product*, effect of the common ion on solubility.
Notes on chemical kinetics-order and molecularity of reaction, reaction rate*.
Notes on electrochemistry - conductivity of aqueous solutions*, batteries, redox potential series, Nerst equation.
Inorganic - The elements of the sp* group: presence in nature, preparation of the elements and their chemical properties, binary and ternary compounds. Notes on the chemistry of transition metals ‘d’ and ‘f’.
Organic - Properties and reactivity of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives*
STOICHIOMETRY
Stoichiometry: Stoichiometry of chemical reactions. Chemical reactions. Chemical equations and their balancing. Stoichiometric calculations. Percentage composition and elemental analysis. Yield of reactions and limiting agent. Reactions in aqueous solution. Net ionic equations. Concentration expressions. Dilution. Oxidation-reduction and their balancing
Textbook Information
N.B.: Although the lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her training. The STOICHIOMETRY text is dedicated exclusively to the exercises
Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher for examination.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course presentation. - Scientific notation of numbers. - Units of measurement and international system*. - Properties and classification of matter*. - Laws of chemical combination*. - Chemical equations* | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 2 | Dalton's Atomic Theory. - Avogadro's Principle. - Cannizzaro's Rule. - Constitution of Atoms. - Notes on Electromagnetic Radiation. - Rutherford's Atomic Model. Introduction to the Periodic Table. - Bohr's Hydrogen Atom Model*. - Quantum Mechanics. - Schrodinger's Equation. - Exercises | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 3 | Electronic structure of elements. - Periodic properties: - atomic radii; - ionization potential; - electron affinity | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 4 | Octet rule. - Lewis symbols. - Metallic bond and ionic bond. - Covalent bond: Homeopolar, heteropolar and dative. - Exercises | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 5 | Exceptions to the octet rule; - Energy in covalent bond; - Polar covalent bond; - Electronegativity | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 6 | VSEPR molecular geometry; - Introduction to valence bond (VB). - Description of N2, H2O; CH4, C2H2 and C2H4 with VB theory | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 7 | Rules for determining the n.o. in various compounds. - Nomenclature of binary compounds (IUPAC and non-IUPAC). - Nomenclature of ternary compounds - hydroxides and acids. Nomenclature of salts and ions. Chemical Systematics - Exercises | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 8 | Structural formulas of various inorganic compounds. - Chemical reactions without change in r.n. - Acid-base; Acid-oxide; Base-oxide; - Salt-salt - Chemical reactions with change in r.n. (redox). - Balancing redox reactions: - Direct methodBalancing redox reactions: Half-reaction method in acidic environment; - Half-reaction method in basic environment; - exercises | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 9 | States of matter - Solid state: Amorphous and crystals and properties. - Crystal lattices and elementary cells. - Gaseous state: properties; - Equation of state of ideal gases*. - Gaseous mixtures | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 10 | Real gases; van der Waals equation; Application of the ideal gas law; - Liquid state: Properties, evaporation and vapor pressure. Boiling, - sublimation, fusion and solidification. - Phase diagrams* of H2O and CO2 | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 11 | Solutions - Nature, enthalpy of solution. - Definitions of concentrations*: mole fraction, molarity, molality - Exercises | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 12 | Vapor pressure of solutions: - ideal behavior solutions - Raoult's law. - Colligative properties: - Vapor pressure lowering; Bullock pressure rise; - Cryoscopic lowering; - Osmotic pressure. - Exercises | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 13 | Chemical Equilibrium: Homogeneous and heterogeneous. - Equilibrium constant. - Principle of mobile equilibrium. - Dependence of the equilibrium constant on Temperature. - Solubility equilibria of poorly soluble salts. - Exercises | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 14 | Autoprotolysis of water. - Hydrogen ion concentration - Acidity and basicity of solutions. - Definition of Arrhenius acid and base. - Exercises. | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 15 | Solubility equilibria of poorly soluble salts. - Definitions of Bronsted-Lowry acid and base. - Strength of Acids and Bases. - Polyprotic Acids and Bases. Amphoteric Compounds. - Buffer Solutions: Definition and mechanisms of operation. Constitution, limits and capacity. - Exercises | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 16 | Inorganic Chemistry S-P Groups | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 17 | Organic Chemistry: Functional groups, representation of organic molecules in three-dimensional form or through projections, traditional and IUPAC nomenclature. | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 18 | Hydrocarbons: structure and nomenclature - Functionalized organic molecules Alkyl halides and reactivity: mechanism of uni and bi-molecular nucleophilic substitutions. E1, E2 elimination reactions. Substitution-elimination competition. Factors influencing E1, E2, SN1, SN2 | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 19 | Alkenes, Alkynes: electrophilic addition. - Aromatic compounds: Huckel's rule and aromaticity. Electrophilic aromatic substitution, different acid-base properties of aromatic and non-aromatic compounds - Alcohols, Phenols, Ethers, thiols. Acidity characteristics. Oxidation and reduction reactions - Amines and nitrogen compounds: Acid-base properties - Carbonyl and carboxylic compounds (aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives). Nucleophilic and electrophilic centers, Nucleophilic addition, Addition-elimination reactions. Acid-base properties, Reactivity of carboxylic acid derivatives | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
| 20 | Organic reactions and enzymatic reactions- Proteins:- Carbohydrates:- Amino acids peptides and proteins: isoelectric point | The lessons are based on 1 or 2 texts for each section, but it should be noted that all the texts listed above are equally valid and the student is free to choose the one he/she deems most suitable for his/her education. Any texts not listed can be submitted to the teacher's scrutiny. - Lesson slides available on STUDIUM |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
There are 2 ongoing tests related to the program (both during lectures and exercises) covered in the period October-November and December-January. The tests will consist of a written exam lasting 2 hours, based on open questions in a sufficient number to cover all the topics covered in class including the stoichiometry exercises during the reference period. The grade obtained in the 2 tests, if higher than 18/30, can be averaged and recorded as a final grade, replacing the final exam.
The final exam consists of a written exam (the day of the exam is the one indicated on the official calendar) lasting 2 hours, based on open questions in a sufficient number to cover all the topics covered in class including the stoichiometry exercises and the exercises on the nomenclature and reactivity of organic molecules covered during the course.
The grade follows the following scheme:
Not suitable:
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Important deficiencies. Significant inaccuracies
Analysis and synthesis skills: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize
Use of references: Completely inappropriate
18-20:
Knowledge and understanding of topic: At threshold level. Evident imperfections
Analysis and synthesis skills: Barely sufficient ability
Use of references: Barely appropriate
21-23
Knowledge and understanding of topic: Routine knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: Is capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Argues logically and coherently
Use of references: Uses standard references
24-26
Knowledge and understanding of topic: Good knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: Has good analysis and synthesis skills. The topics are expressed coherently
Use of references: Uses standard references
27-29
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: More than good knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: Has notable analysis and synthesis skills
Use of references: Has studied the topics in depth
30-30 cum laude
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: Has notable analysis and synthesis skills.
Use of references: Important insights.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Chemical nomenclature
Describe the periodic properties of the elements
Electronic configuration of the elements and atomic number
Molecular geometry of inorganic acids based on the VSEPR theory
VB theory and hybrid orbitals
Chemical bonding
Reaction balance
Redox reactions
Intermolecular interactions
Solutions
Calculating the concentration of a solution
Colligative properties
Main thermodynamic state functions
Gibbs energy
Chemical kinetics
Solution equilibria
Calculating pH
Buffer solutions
Hydrolysis of salts
Batteries
Elements of the s-p groups (up to the 3rd period)
Organic nomenclature
Main organic compounds and their reactivity
Stoichiometric calculations