FONDAMENTI DI CHIMICA GENERALE, INORGANICA ED ORGANICA

The course introduces the fundamental principles of atomic structure, chemical bonding, states of matter, and the properties and transformations of matter (General and Inorganic Chemistry), while also providing a basic understanding of the nomenclature, structure, and reactivity of the main functional groups found in organic molecules (Organic Chemistry).

Expected learning outcomes include a thorough understanding of: i) the atomic model and its application to electron configurations and the periodic table; ii) the thermochemistry and kinetics concepts covered; iii) acid-base theory; and iv) chemical equilibrium. Students are also expected to demonstrate the ability to: i) draw Lewis structures; ii) predict stereochemistry using VSEPR theory; iii) perform simple stoichiometry calculations (including balancing chemical equations); and possess knowledge of: iv) the nomenclature of organic substances and functional groups; v) the stereochemistry of organic molecules and their three-dimensional spatial orientation; and vi) the reactivity of chemical compounds.

Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge of the physical principles and fundamental concepts of general chemistry, the chemistry of s- and p-block elements in relation to their electronic and structural properties, and the main organic compounds.

Applying knowledge and understanding: Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to apply basic chemistry concepts to practical problems that can be interrelated to agricultural production systems.

Making judgements: The student will be able to process the material learned and recognize "real-world" scenarios and specific problems where the chemical principles acquired can be applied.

Communication skills: Develop the ability to express ideas using appropriate terminology, in both oral and written contexts. Practical sessions will encourage group discussion and the ability to reach a conclusion by synthesizing the contributions that emerge during the discussion. By the end of the course, students will be able to describe topics in general, inorganic, and organic chemistry with articulate language and confident presentation skills.

Learning skills: Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to analyze, apply, and integrate the knowledge acquired with material learned in subsequent courses, particularly regarding scientific disciplines based on aspects and processes governed by chemical-molecular phenomena.

Lectures and practical sessions will be conducted using traditional face-to-face teaching methods, supported by pre-prepared PowerPoint slides that will be distributed to students throughout the course.

Should the course be delivered via a hybrid or remote format, necessary adjustments to the above arrangements may be introduced to ensure adherence to the syllabus and course program.

The course aims to provide students with foundational knowledge—geared towards agricultural training and supporting specialized subjects—enabling them to understand the language of chemistry. Specifically, it covers the main classes of inorganic and organic molecules (including biomolecules) and the relationships between structure, properties, and reactivity.

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 substances (elements and compounds) and mixtures (homogeneous and heterogeneous). Chemical nomenclature – Elements and their representation, oxidation numbers, classification of inorganic compounds, ionic and molecular compounds, traditional and IUPAC nomenclature. Chemical reactions – Representation, Lavoisier's law of conservation of mass, balancing equations, combustion reactions, precipitation reactions, gas-evolving reactions, acid-base reactions, redox reactions and their balancing.

Fundamentals of the atom – Rutherford's experiment, planetary atomic model, atomic number, mass number, isotopes, isotopic abundance, mass defect, atomic mass unit (amu), relative atomic mass, molecular mass, mole, empirical formula, molecular formula, expanded formula, structural formula, weight percentages.

Structure of matter – Bohr's atomic model, quantum-mechanical model, quantum numbers, Pauli exclusion principle, Hund's rule, electron 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, coordinate covalent (dative) bond, hydrogen bond, valence bond theory, hybridization, resonance.

The gaseous state – Pressure, Boyle's law, Charles's law, Gay-Lussac's law, Avogadro's hypothesis, 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. Phase changes – Water phase 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 factor.

Chemical equilibrium – Law of mass action, equilibrium constant, temperature dependence of the equilibrium constant, factors influencing 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, hydrolysis pH, buffer solutions, strong acid-strong base titrations, solubility product, common-ion effect on solubility.

Introduction to chemical kinetics – Reaction order and molecularity, reaction rate.

Introduction to electrochemistry – Conductivity of aqueous solutions, electrochemical cells, redox potential series, Nernst equation.

Inorganic chemistry – s- and p-block elements: occurrence in nature, preparation and chemical properties, binary and ternary compounds. Overview of the chemistry of 'd'- and 'f'-block transition metals.

Organic chemistry – Properties and reactivity of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives.

Stoichiometry – Stoichiometry of chemical reactions. Chemical reactions. Chemical equations and balancing. Stoichiometric calculations. Percent composition and elemental analysis. Reaction yield and limiting reagent. Reactions in aqueous solution. Net ionic equations. Concentration expressions. Dilution. Redox reactions and balancing.

1. A. M. Manotti Lanfredi & A. Tiripicchio, FONDAMENTI DI CHIMICA, CEA

2. Fusi et al., -CHIMICA GENERALE ED INORGANICA - Idelson-Gnocchi

3. Petrucci et al., -CHIMICA GENERALE- Piccin

4. Speranza et al. -CHIMICA GENERALE ED INORGANICA- Edi-Ermes

5. M. Schiavello, L. Palmisano - FONDAMENTI DI CHIMICA - EdiSES

6. J.C. Kotz et al. - CHIMICA - EdiSES

7. P.W. Atkins, L. Jones - CHIMICA GENERALE - Zanichelli

8. R. Chang - FONDAMENTI DI CHIMICA GENERALE - Mc Graw Hill

9. Nivaldo J. Tro - CHIMICA – EdiSES Chimica Inorganica

10. D.H. Bandinelli - CHIMICA INORGANICA – Piccin

11. I. Bertini,C. Luchinat, F. Mani - CHIMICA INORGANICA - Ambrosiana, (distribuzione Zanichelli)

Stoichiometry

12. P. M. Lausarot, G.A. Vaglio - STECHIOMETRIA PER LA CHIMICA GENERALE- Piccin

13. P. Giannoccaro, S. Doronzo -ELEMENTI DI STECHIOMETRIA- Edises

Additional teaching material to be made available to students consists of:

Copies of the PowerPoint presentations used during lectures and seminars.

Two interim tests are scheduled, covering the syllabus (both lectures and practical exercises) taught during the October–November and December–January periods. Each test will consist of a one-hour written exam comprising a sufficient number of questions (15)—including both open-ended and multiple-choice formats—to cover all topics addressed in class, including stoichiometry exercises, for the relevant period. If the average score from these two tests exceeds 18/30, it may be recorded as the final grade, thereby replacing the final exam.

The final assessment consists of a two-hour written exam (held on the date specified in the official schedule). It comprises a sufficient number of questions (30)—including both open-ended and multiple-choice formats—to cover the entire syllabus, including stoichiometry exercises as well as exercises on the nomenclature and reactivity of the organic molecules discussed during the course.

Grading follows this scheme:

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

Chemical nomenclature

Periodic properties of elements

Electron configuration of elements and atomic number

Molecular geometry of inorganic acids based on VSEPR theory

Valence Bond (VB) theory and hybrid orbitals

Chemical bonding

Balancing chemical equations

Redox reactions

Intermolecular interactions

Solutions

Calculating solution concentration

Colligative properties

Key thermodynamic state functions

Free energy

Chemical kinetics

Solution equilibria

pH calculation

Buffer solutions

Salt hydrolysis

Electrochemical cells

s- and p-block elements (up to Period 3)

Organic nomenclature

Key organic compounds and their reactivity

Stoichiometric calculations