Central theme of this course: What determines the rate of a reaction?
Aim
The aim of this course is to familiarize you with principles of physical organic chemistry that govern the reactivity of molecules and their assemblies.
Context
Physical organic chemistry looks beyond the synthesis and structure of molecules to chemical reactions and the way both molecular structure and the chemical and physical environment impact on those reactions. By understanding how the rates of chemical reactions can thus be altered, you will develop a deeper intuition into how reactions proceed, and how catalysts can accelerate reactions. Furthermore, the explicit link to ‘wet’ physical chemistry will serve as an excellent basis to explore other concepts in soft matter science, ranging from polymers and materials to living systems.
Using Atkins 11th Edition (see TOPICS) as general guide:
- Reaction limitations (= “classical” reaction kinetics = energy limitations): TOPIC 17A-F
- Equilibrium reactions, steady state approximation, consecutive reactions, rate determining steps, pre-equilibrium, enzyme catalysis
- Transition-state theory TOPIC 18C
- Diffusion limitations (explain key concepts): TOPIC 18B and 16C
- Fick’s law
- Osmosis
- Brownian motion
- Self-assembly TOPIC 14 (B+) E
- general principles
- colloids, micelles, bilayers, vesicles
Additional material (to be decided by lectures as ‘ special interest topics):
- Catalyst, basic principles
- Acid/base catalysis
- Photochemistry
- Active motion: molecular motors and other active matter
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Central theme of this course: What determines the rate of a reaction?
Aim
The aim of this course is to familiarize you with principles of physical organic chemistry that govern the reactivity of molecules and their assemblies.
Context
Physical organic chemistry looks beyond the synthesis and structure of molecules to chemical reactions and the way both molecular structure and the chemical and physical environment impact on those reactions. By understanding how the rates of chemical reactions can thus be altered, you will develop a deeper intuition into how reactions proceed, and how catalysts can accelerate reactions. Furthermore, the explicit link to ‘wet’ physical chemistry will serve as an excellent basis to explore other concepts in soft matter science, ranging from polymers and materials to living systems.
Using Atkins 11th Edition (see TOPICS) as general guide:
- Reaction limitations (= “classical” reaction kinetics = energy limitations): TOPIC 17A-F
- Equilibrium reactions, steady state approximation, consecutive reactions, rate determining steps, pre-equilibrium, enzyme catalysis
- Transition-state theory TOPIC 18C
- Diffusion limitations (explain key concepts): TOPIC 18B and 16C
- Fick’s law
- Osmosis
- Brownian motion
- Self-assembly TOPIC 14 (B+) E
- general principles
- colloids, micelles, bilayers, vesicles
Additional material (to be decided by lectures as ‘ special interest topics):
- Catalyst, basic principles
- Acid/base catalysis
- Photochemistry
- Active motion: molecular motors and other active matter
Instructional Modes
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