Discover the Fascinating World of Organic Chemistry – Hands-On Lab Experience!

Timetable

winter semester

Two groups can be formed.

Module aim (aims)

The main aim of the laboratory (30h)

Are you ready to step beyond theory and dive into real experiments? Our 30-hour Organic Chemistry Laboratory is designed to make organic chemistry clear, exciting, and relevant to both biology and everyday life. This is not just another lab—this is your chance to explore, experiment, and truly understand how organic molecules behave and react!

Why join?

• Conduct real experiments and develop hands-on lab skills.
• Explore the fascinating relationship between structure and reactivity.
• Master substitution and elimination reactions, and dive deep into the chemistry of carbonyl compounds.
• See how organic chemistry connects to real-world challenges.

This lab is a workshop-style experience where you will apply what you’ve learned in lectures and tutorials, testing theories in action. You’ll work on solving practical problems, applying organic reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry in a real laboratory setting.

• This is your opportunity to:
• Move beyond memorization—think, analyze, and experiment!
• Develop skills essential for research and industry.
• Experience the thrill of organic chemistry firsthand!

If you’re curious about how chemistry shapes the world around us, this lab is for you! Join us and bring organic chemistry to life!

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

• Preferred: Intermediate Course of Organic Chemistry.

• Alternatively, basic knowledge of organic and general chemistry, but with concurrent participation in the Intermediate Course of Organic Chemistry, conducted for AMU-PIE students by Prof. UAM dr hab. Donata Pluskota-Karwatka.

Syllabus

Organic Chemistry Laboratory

Discover the fascinating World of Organic Chemsitry – Hands-On Lab Experence!

The course consists of six meetings, including an introductory session (3 hours) followed by four experimental lab sessions (6 hours each) and a final summary session (3 hours).

1) Introductory Session (3h): Getting Ready for the Lab!

• The first meeting will provide essential guidance on laboratory work and safety regulations (BHP), including:
• Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) – lab coat, safety goggles, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.
• Laboratory tour – getting familiar with the lab layout and equipment storage.
• Introduction to lab equipment and assigned personal storage lockers.

2) Safety & Lab Techniques – Your First Challenge!

Before starting lab work, students must demonstrate essential knowledge of safety protocols and lab techniques (chemical hazard pictograms, TLC, distillation setups under various conditions). This knowledge will be assessed with a safety & techniques test (minimum 51% required to pass).

• Passing this test grants permission to work in the lab for the semester.

 3) Experimental Lab sessions (4 x 6 hrs each): Hands-On Chemistry!

Each experimental session requires:
Passing a pre-lab test (min. 51%) related to the specific experiment. Students must understand:

• The procedure and reaction mechanism.
• Properties of the target compound and other reagents.
• Interpretation of infrared (IR) spectra of their synthesized products.
• Keeping a notebook for calculations and observations.
• Printing experiment protocols beforehand – reading from a phone screen is not allowed!

 4) Exciting organic synthesis & natural product extraction!

During the lab, students will perform:
Synthetic tasks, including esterification, reduction, oxidation, and extraction of natural products. Extraction of compounds from everyday sources, such as:

• Caffeine (coffee)
• Lactose (milk)
• Piperine (black pepper)
• Theobromine (cocoa/chocolate)
• Lauric acid (coconut)

 5) Lab compleation & assessment

To successfully complete the lab, students must:

• Pass all required tests.
• Achieve at least 50% reaction yield in experimental work.
• Submit properly documented lab reports (protocols).

 6) Final session (3hrs): wrap-up & clean-up

The last session will be dedicated to:

• Reviewing lab work & summarizing key takeaways.
• Returning equipment and lab storage lockers in clean condition.

Ready to bring organic chemistry to life? Let’s get experimenting!

Reading list

• Script: Anna K. Przybył, Jakub Grajewski, Michał Antoszczak, Joanna Kurek: Organic chemistry in laboratory. UAM Poznań 2020, ISBN 978-83-62783-12-0. https://www.wbc.poznan.pl/dlibra/publication/573678/edition/486299/content

• Clayden, N. Greeves, S. Warren, P. Wothers, Organic Chemistry.
• Gorzynski Smith, Organic Chemistry
• G. Wade, Organic Chemistry
• McMurry Organic Chemistry