Catalogo dei Corsi di studio

General expected learning outcomes
The course aims to provide the students a theoretical and practical knowledge related to research and qualitative recognition of inorganic substances of pharmacological and toxicological interest. The aim of the course is also to provide the molecular mechanisms on the pharmaceutical and toxicological properties of the aforementioned substances.

Specific expected learning outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding
The student will study all the aspects concerning the chemical reactions used for the separation and recognition of the cations included in the 6 groups of the classical systematic approach (group I: silver, lead and mercury; II group: lead, mercury, arsenic, antimony, tin, bismuth , copper, cadmium; III group: aluminium, iron, chrome, manganese; group IV: manganese, zinc, nickel, cobalt; V group: calcium, barium, strontium; group VI: magnesium, sodium, lithium, potassium) as well as anions identifiable by the research in the alkaline solution (sulphate, nitrate, chloride, bromide, iodide and oxalate). Moreover, the student will be able to apply theoretically/practically the concepts concerning the acid-base equilibria, hydrolysis, complexation, precipitation, redox reduction and be able to evaluate all the related interdependencies for the purpose of the recognition of inorganic compounds. Additionally, the student will be able to understand the molecular biological mechanisms in which cations and inorganic anions take part.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student will be able to separate and analyse an inorganic cation or anion mixture through the application and interpretation of chemical essays. For this purpose it will be essential to know and apply the different chemical reactivity for the separation and identification of the ions (changes in pH, complexation, precipitation and redox). The practical laboratory exercises will allow the student to learn how to apply and observe what was already covered during the lectures. Knowledge of the properties and reactivity of inorganic substances will allow the student not only to understand the biological, pharmacological and toxicological functions of these substances, but also to design and / or identify possible approaches for solving relative problems. The knowledge of the most widespread therapeutic problems and pharmaceutical solutions of inorganic type (essential micronutrient elements integrators) available for the treatment of the main pathologies associated with deficiency or intoxication will make the student able to make the right decision and to give rational advice for the use of these pharmaceuticals in the field of human health.

3. Making judgements
The lecturer will stimulate the students to develop a logical-critical sense by asking frequent questions (brainstorming) in class with the aim of inducing them to acquire connection skills (correlative thinking) between the various concepts defined in the syllabus leading to the mastery of the subject, connecting the chemical pharmaceutical and toxicological analysis as an integral part with a link to other disciplines already studied (general and inorganic chemistry, physics, anatomy, biology) or to be followed in the future educational path (biochemistry, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, toxicology). The lecturer will periodically ask students to develop discussions/theses related to key topics discussed in class, in order to get them used to design scientific research.
At the end of the course the students will be able to formulate an analytical/critical judgment, interpret and correlate complex concepts, design a research related to the topics covered in order to expand scientific, ethical and social knowledge.


4. Communication skills
Through the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, the ability to apply them and to propose a critical judgment on the topics dealt with, but also through the use of the relative scientific language used by the lecturer during the course and the frequent stimulation of the communication lesson, the student will be able to communicate with cognitive and linguistic-perceptive depth with his peers and/or with both the scientific and non-scientific community also of different cultural origin.

5. Learning skills
The student who has acquired the abilities described above will be able to undertake future studies in a more autonomous, self-managed and rapid manner, but also to propose social and/or working contexts useful for the scientific progress of society in the field of human health.

Programme

The course provides students with the theoretical knowledge and technical skills of for the qualitative determination of anions and cations in complex mixtures by exploiting their different chemical properties. Some of the identification methods proposed by the pharmacopoeia will be examined and the toxicological aspects of anions and cations will be investigated.

Curriculum content of lecture-based classes:
Introduction: general aspects on the analyses; approaches to the analysis of inorganic compounds. Chemical bonds. (2 hours)
Solutions: solubility, types of solvents, concentration of solutions. (2 hours).
Chemical equilibria in solution: acid-base equilibria, solubility equilibria, complexation equilibria, redox equilibria. (8 hours)
Laboratory operations and laboratory safety regulations. (2 hours)
Preliminary tests (2 hours)
Research and recognition of cations. I analytical group: Ag + (silver ion), Pb2+ (lead ion), Hg22+ (monovalent mercury ion). II group: As3+ and As5+ (arsenic ions), Sb3+ and Sb5+ (antimony ions), Sn2+ and Sn4+ (tin ions), Hg2+ (divalent mercury ion), Cd2+ (cadmium ion), Cu2+ (copper ion), Bi3+ (bismuth ion). III group: Al3+ (aluminum ion), Cr3+ (chromium ion), Fe2+ and Fe3+ (iron ions). IV group: Zn2+ (zinc ion), Mn2+ (manganese ion), Co2+ (cobalt ion), Ni2+ (nickel ion). V group: Ca2+ (calcium ion), Ba2+ (barium ion), Sr2+ (strontium ion). VI group: Mg2+ (magnesium ion), Li+ (lithium ion), Na+ (sodium ion), K+ (potassium ion), NH4+ (ammonium ion). (20 hours)
Research and recognition of anions: carbonates, acetates, borates, nitrates, oxalates, chlorides, bromides, iodides, sulphates, oxalates, tartrates, nitrates, phosphates. (4 hours)
Toxicological aspects of cations and anions. Biologically relevant cations and anions. (8 hours)
Optical methods, atomic emission spectroscopy, medicinal specialties and pharmacopoeia. (8 hours)
Individual teaching laboratory lectures (60 hours)

Adopted texts

Chimica analitica qualitativa – A. Araneo. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano;
L’analisi qualitativa in chimica farmaceutica e tossicologica inorganica – P. Barbetti, M. G. Quaglia. Galeno Editrice;

Exam modes

-End-of-course exam: oral examination. In order to pass the examination, the student must reach a mark of at least 18/30 proving to possess knowledge about the main issues of the course (anions and cations separation/recognition and their toxicology). In order to pass the examination with a mark of 30/30 the student must display comprehensive knowledge about all the issues of the program.