Lab Practical Information

Chemistry 2311, Spring 2012

Each 2311 section is divided into four 1-hour time slots with 3-5 students scheduled per exam
time. The exam is 50 minutes long with 10 minutes allotted for students entering and leaving
lab. For objectivity purposes your own TA will NOT be giving you your exam rather a different
TA. The practical will be worth 100 pts.
The lab practical will be both written and verbal. You will be given an exam that outlines a
hypothetical experiment in the lab. It consists of eight questions. There is one marked with a
double asterisk **. This is the apparatus that you will set up for the TA to check and discuss
with you. There is also a question marked with a single asterisk *. This is a technique that
will be a topic for verbal discussion between you and the TA. Follow your individual TAs
instruction as to whether you should go through the exam in order1-8 or first setup your
apparatus. There is time for both methods. Bring a calculator to the exam but no other course
materials. Goggles are not required.
Apparatus Setup the apparatus required for your individual exam using clamps, ring
stands, flasks of appropriate size, condensers, etc... as if you were actually going to perform
the experiment or purification. Connect water hoses correctly but do not turn on the
water. Use boiling stones or stirbar/stirplate, if required. If heat is needed, use the
appropriate heat source such as a mantle or hot plate and plug the cord into the proper
outlet with all variacs and equipment turned OFF. No chemicals are to be used. When you
are done with your exam please return all equipment to the proper place (such as the
tubing barrel, under the hoods, or in the bins) so it is available for the next group of
students.
Possible apparatus:
Simple Distillation
Grignard Apparatus (water-sensitive)
Reflux

Fractional Distillation
Extraction (Separatory funnel)
Steam Distillation

Sublimation

Techniques (microscale and miniscale) All of the techniques learned this semester are
summarized below. Be ready to discuss them with the TA giving the exam or answer
written questions pertaining to these techniques. Questions will be general and test your
knowledge of theory of the techniques and manipulations. If you have paid attention and
learned during the semester, little studying should be required.
Filtrations (gravity versus vacuum)
Sublimation
Thin-Layer Chromatography
Fractional distillation
Melting Points

Recrystallization (four steps)

Drying agents
Column Chromatography
Gas Chromatography
Boiling Points

Reflux
Extraction
Simple distillation
Desiccators
Steam Distillation

Calculations
Know how to determine the limiting reagent and calculate all types of yields using data given
such as masses, moles, densities, balanced equations, etc. Also, be able to calculate the quantity
of a reagent required to obtain such and such yield from a reaction.
Other - Answer questions related to waste handling, safety, notebook documentation, and
laboratory protocols.