Implementation of GC-MS in Physical Chemistry

by Cheryl Longfellow, former faculty of Philadelphia University

An important aspect of physical chemistry is the exploration of the fundamental relationships between the structures of molecular compounds and their physical properties. Modeled after a laboratory in which students separated complex mixtures using GC-MS (Galipo, R. C.; Canhoto, A. J.; Walla, M. D.; Morgan, S. L. J. Chem. Ed. 1999, 76, 245-248), our students considered “How is molecular structure related to odor?” The students have two four-hour laboratory periods to obtain data to answer their question and the third period is used to analyze and interpret their data. In this manner, teamwork and collaboration is emphasized as in real-life research laboratory setting. Students choose from a predetermined set of compounds that have been previously identified as workable.  The students’ goal is to isolate and identify the compounds that result in the odor.

To see the pre-laboratory exercises (pdf file), please chick HERE.
To see the actual laboratory experiment (pdf file), please chick HERE.

This inquiry based lab was developed through funding from NSF (DUE# 0126468 - Implementing Guided-inquiry Laboratories Utilizing Gas-chromatography Mass-spectrometry in the Chemistry/Biochemistry Majors Sequence)