Organic chemistry is a chemistry subdiscipline involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds and organic materials, i.e., matter in its various forms that contain carbon atoms.[1] Study of structure includes using spectroscopy (e.g., NMR), mass spectrometry, and other physical and chemical methods to determine the chemical composition and constitution of organic compounds and materials. Study of properties includes both physical properties and chemical properties, and uses similar methods as well as methods to evaluate chemical reactivity, with the aim to understand the behavior of the organic matter in its pure form (when possible), but also in solutions, mixtures, and fabricated forms. The study of organic reactions includes probing their scope through use in preparation of target compounds (e.g., natural products, drugs, polymers, etc.) by chemical synthesis, as well as the focused study of the reactivities of individual organic molecules, both in the laboratory and via theoretical (in silico) study. The range of chemicals studied in organic chemistry include hydrocarbons (compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen), as well as myriad compositions based always on carbon, but also containing other elements,[1][2][3] especially: In the modern era, the range extends further into the periodic table, with main … Continue reading →

Keyword searching I have removed the Google search box because it was giving problems. Follow this link to find out how you can still search Chemguide using keywords. Edexcel Chemistry book Support pages for my Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry book. This will soon be retitled as Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry, Edexcel Certificate in Chemistry. CIE syllabus support Support pages for CIE (Cambridge International) A level students and teachers. Atomic Structure and Bonding Covers basic atomic properties (electronic structures, ionisation energies, electron affinities, atomic and ionic radii, and the atomic hydrogen emission spectrum), bonding (including intermolecular bonding) and structures (ionic, molecular, giant covalent and metallic). Inorganic Chemistry Includes essential ideas about redox reactions, and covers the trends in Period 3 and Groups 1, 2, 4 and 7 of the Periodic Table. Plus: lengthy sections on the chemistry of some important complex ions, and of common transition metals. Extraction and uses of aluminium, copper, iron, titanium and tungsten. Physical Chemistry Covers simple kinetic theory, ideal and real gases, chemical energetics, rates of reaction including catalysis, an introduction to chemical equilibria, redox equilibria, acid-base equilibria (pH, buffer solutions, indicators, etc), solubility products, and phase equilibria (including Raoult's Law and the use of various … Continue reading →

Chemistry is one of those subjects that has long been considered more popular among boys than girls. But that's not the case at the Auckland girls' school St Cuthbert's College. Today the school's head of chemistry was honoured with a national award for excellence in teaching. Ian Torrie has been teaching chemistry for almost 40 years and says when it stops being fun, he'll retire. For now, retirement seems a long way off. "It keeps me feeling young," he says, "I don't feel like I have been teaching for 40 years, and I think working with young people is an amazing gift to receive." Today Mr Torrie won an Australian Scholarships Group National Excellence in Teaching award one of five who will receive awards this year from more than 600 nominations. It's an award he says he accepted for the thousands of teachers out there who are passionate about what they do. "I've always said you can be the greatest communicator, the greatest teacher in the world, but if you haven't captured their imagination first of all, there is no point doing what you do, because if they are not listening, what's the point?" he says. Chemistry is second only … Continue reading →

Published October 27, 2014 LONDON A British chemistry teacher accused of supporting the Islamic State group has pleaded guilty to two terrorism charges. Jamshed Javeed on Monday admitted two counts of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts. He accepted that he intended to travel to Syria to join rebels fighting against President Bashar Assad's government. The 30-year-old was arrested in December by counterterror police, who said Javeed had been "an otherwise law-abiding man" who began to support the Islamic State group last summer. Javeed was accused of making travel plans with the intention of committing terrorism, and intending to help other terrorists by providing funding and buying equipment. He will be sentenced in December. Police have charged at least 16 people returning from Syria for terrorist activity this year. The rest is here: British chemistry teacher accused of supporting Islamic State group admits 2 terror charges … Continue reading →

LONDON - A British chemistry teacher accused of supporting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria faced jail after he pleaded guilty Monday to terrorism charges. Jamshed Javeed admitted two counts of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts. He accepted that he intended to travel to Syria to join rebels fighting against President Bashar Assad's government. The 30-year-old was arrested in December by counterterror police, who said Javeed had been "an otherwise law-abiding man" who began to support the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) last summer. Javeed was accused of making travel plans with the intention of committing terrorism, and intending to help other terrorists by providing funding and buying equipment. He will be sentenced in December. Britain's head of counterterrorism, Mark Rowley, warned earlier this month of an unusually high number of U.K. terrorism cases, many related to Syria, and highlighted the increasing risk of young and impressionable people being radicalized online. Police have charged at least 16 people returning from the country for terrorist activity this year. Also Monday, the brother of a British man who was killed fighting in Syria appeared in court charged with trying to help would-be terrorists. Mustakim Jaman, 23, … Continue reading →

University of Wisconsin chemistry professor Shannon Stahl recently received a Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for his research involving using oxygen in chemical reactions. The United States Environmental Protection Agency awarded five scientists across the nation with this award. The most satisfying part of this award was its recognition of the potential impact of [the chemistry of oxygen] on green chemistry in the real world, Stahl said. Stahls group at UW focuses on catalysis, which is a way of facilitating and enhancing rates of chemical reactions. The recognized research focused mainly on controlling the chemistry of oxygen, Stahl said. Stahl said oxygen in the air combusts while interacting with organic molecules, which can include people and other organic forms of matter, which explains why bonfires are possible this time of year. What were trying to do is essentially use oxygen as a green chemical reagent and by using catalysts, you can do so selectively to make useful products like pharmaceuticals for example soda bottles are made using oxygen building blocks, Stahl said. Stahl said his goal was to figure out how to control oxygen so when it combines with other molecules, it does not just combust. Rather than just getting … Continue reading →

Franois P. Gabba, who was appointed earlier this month as head of Texas A&Ms Department of Chemistry, recently outlined his vision and priorities, including creating new concentration areas for undergraduates, reforming the graduate curriculum and setting milestones to accelerate average graduation rates. When he spoke last week to the College of Sciences External Advisory and Development Council, Gabbadetailed how hed like to enhance department-wide dialogue and efforts toward technology commercialization. Gabba who was appointed by H. Joseph Newton, dean of the College of Science is widely regarded as one of the worlds top experts in the diverse field of main group chemistry. He is holder of the A.E. Martell Endowed Chair and has been a member of the Texas A&M chemistry faculty since 1998. He replaces David H. Russell, who served since 2006 as department head and has returned to full-time research and teaching-related priorities. I truly believe Dr. Gabba is the right person at the right time to preserve Texas A&M chemistrys strengths and in fact lead the department to the next level with profound impact not only on the departments future, but also that of the College of Science and broader university as well, Newton said in a … Continue reading →