Physical Chemistry

Recommended Prerequisites

The students should have basic knowledge on chemistry acquired in the secondary education.  

Teaching Methods

The curricular unit is divided into lectures and problem-solving classes. In the first the theoretical contents are presented in an expositive way. The second consists in the resolution of problems previously made available to the students through worksheets covering all matters of the syllabus. During classes, students are encouraged to participate in the resolution of exercises. 

Learning Outcomes

 The main objective of this curricular unit is to study of the fundamentals of thermodynamics and kinetics, and their applicability to the pharmaceutical sciences. Specifically, it is essential the students to understand the meaning of the thermodynamic laws and of the most important thermodynamic properties, being able to apply them in the study of pharmaceutical and biochemical systems. It is also important that the students would be able to recognize the kinetics as a complementary area to thermodynamics, concerning to the study of the systems reactivity. This curricular unit will allow the students to acquire basic knowledge to interpret the physicochemical behavior of drugs, and to better understand pharmacological and biochemical processes. 

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction to Physical Chemistry and its applications to the Pharmaceutical Sciences. Basic concepts of thermodynamics.

2. Zero Law of thermodynamics and temperature concept.

3. Macroscopic and microscopic study of the gas phase properties.

4. First law of thermodynamics and its application to living organisms.

5. Thermochemistry and calorimetry

6. Second and third laws of thermodynamics. Meaning of entropy.

7. Gibbs energy and its importance in the biological processes.

8. Phase equilibrium in systems constituted by a single component: Phase diagrams and phase rule. Applications to systems of pharmaceutical interest.

8. Intermolecular forces. The importance of the hydrogen bonding in the structure of biomolecules.

9. Thermodynamic properties of solutions.

10. Phase diagrams of mixtures.

11. Chemical equilibrium.

12. Introduction to Chemical kinetics.

13. Reaction mechanisms.

14. Theories of reaction rates.

15. Enzyme kinetics.

Head Lecturer(s)

António Jorge Lopes Jesus

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

 Atkins, P. ; De Paula, J.; Physical chemistry for the life sciences, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2006.
Chang, R.; Physical chemistry for the biosciences, Sausalito, University Science Books, 2005.
Elements of  Physical chemistry, 4th ed., Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2005.
Chang, R.; Chemistry, 7th ed., Mc-Graw-Hill, New York, 2002.
Atkins, P. Chemical Principles, the Quest for insight, Oxford University, New York, 1999.
Silberg, M.; Principles of general chemistry, McGraw-Hill, 2007.
Formosinho, S.J.; Arnaut, L.G., Cinética química,. Coimbra, Imprensa da Universidade, 2003.
Formosinho, S.J.; Fundamentos de cinética química, Lisboa, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 1983.