Course Details

Qualitative Drug Analysis

FA0385

Course
Qualitative Drug Analysis
Code
FA0385
Academic Year
2026/2027
Curriculum Year
2024/2025
Degree Programme
PHARMACY
Curriculum
000 - Generico
Course coordinator
Credits
5
Lecture Hours
24
Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)
CHIM/08 - Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Course Type
Single-subject learning activity
Course Delivery
OBB - Obbligatoria
Year
3
Teaching period
Primo Semestre
Campus
NOVARA
Teaching language
Italian
Course Contents
Qualitative chemical analysis of inorganic drugs: dry analysis, wet analysis for the identification of cations and anions. Qualitative chemical analysis of organic and organometallic drugs: elemental analysis, solubility assays, recognition reactions of the main functional groups. Determination of some chemical-physical constants. Separation, isolation and purification techniques. Filtration. Solvent extraction. Thin layer chromatography. Qualitative analysis through Infrared Spectrophotometry and UV-Visible Spectrophotometry.
Reference Texts
“Farmacopea Ufficiale europea”.
“Principi di Analisi Farmaceutica" Cavrini V. Andrisano V. Società Editrice Esculapio.
“Manuale di Analisi Qualitativa” Giuseppe Caliendo EdiSES Università.
Learning Outcomes
The course aims to provide basic knowledge for the identification of compounds of pharmaceutical interest through the qualitative pharmaceutical analysis methodologies provided by the European Pharmacopoeia. Fundamental notions will be provided on the chemical-physical properties of compounds of pharmaceutical interest of an inorganic, organic and metallorganic nature, as well as the principles and use of the techniques used in the separation and purification of a mixture of compounds.
Prerequisites
You must have passed the exam in Chemical-physical and chemical-analytical methodologies.
Teaching Methods
Lectures in the classroom with slide projection, some topics will be explored in depth with the projection of films. The teaching material used during the lessons will be available on the DIR platform. Practical laboratory exercises, mandatory attendance.
Additional Information
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.
Assessment Methods
A MANDATORY written mid-term test is scheduled immediately following the completion of the laboratory sessions. The test will take place once all laboratory rotations have concluded (in the second half of December, prior to the holiday break) and will cover all topics addressed during the course. The test will consist of 30 questions, comprising both multiple-choice and open-ended formats. Students who pass the written test with a score of 18/30 or higher may have their grade officially recorded at the first available exam session. The final grade will be based on both the written test score and the results of the analyses performed in the laboratory. The grade will be officially recorded during the first available session in February. Students who fail the mandatory written test (scoring below 18/30) will have the opportunity to retake the written test on the scheduled exam dates.
Detailed Syllabus
LABORATORY GLASSWARE: use, maintenance and typical assembly of standard apparatus. STIRRING, HEATING, COOLING TECHNIQUES. QUALITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS: sampling and homogenization of the sample, preliminary analyses: appearance, color, odor, determination of the organic, inorganic, metal-organic nature by calcination test on earthenware; dry analysis (flame test and heating tests in a small tube). QUALITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF INORGANIC SUBSTANCES: - dissolution, pH measurement, possible fusion - wet analysis: identification of cations and anions present in samples of inorganic drugs through characteristic chemical reactions described in the Pharmacopoeia, with particular reference to the following cations (Ammonium, Aluminium, Silver, Bismuth, Calcium, Lithium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc) and anions (Carbonates, Bicarbonates, Chlorides, Phosphates, Iodides, Nitrates, Sulphates, Borates, Fluorides, Thiosulfates). QUALITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF ORGANIC AND METALLORGANIC SUBSTANCES: - elemental analysis: Lassaigne assay searches for nitrogen, sulphur, halogens and phosphorus - dry analysis (flame test for organometallic compounds) - solubility tests in water, organic solvents, diluted bases, diluted acids, conc sulfuric acid. - recognition reactions of the main functional groups: alkenes, alkynes, aromatic hydrocarbons, alkyl halides, alcohols, phenols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, acyl halides, anhydrides, esters, amides, nitriles, amines and ammonium salts, nitro -compounds, sulphonamides, amino acids, carbohydrates - use of the Pharmacopoeia: examples of recognition of some organic and organometallic drugs: acetylsalicylic acid, salicylic acid, bismuth salicylate, chlorobutanol, hexylresorcin, glucose, fructose, sucrose, benzocaine, procaine hydrochloride, sulfathiazole. DETERMINATION OF CHEMICAL-PHYSICAL CONSTANTS: - Melting point. - Specific rotational power. SEPARATION, ISOLATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNIQUES: - FILTRATION: by gravity and vacuum, filtration auxiliaries, microfiltration, centrifugation, decantation, drying methods. - SOLVENT EXTRACTION: principle and choice of solvent, discontinuous liquid-liquid extraction method with separating funnel, phase washing, anhydrification and concentration. Use of acidic aqueous solutions and basic aqueous solutions. Continuous liquid-liquid extraction method: continuous extractors for solvents denser than water; continuous extractors for solvents less dense than water. Continuous solid-liquid extraction method: Soxhlet. - THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY: methodology, applications, RF calculation, detection systems, two-dimensional TLC, preparative TLC. INFRARED SPECTROPHOTOMETRY: instrumentation and applications in qualitative pharmaceutical analysis, interpretation of IR spectra. UV-Visible SPECTROPHOTOMETRY: instrumentation and applications in qualitative pharmaceutical analysis. LABORATORY EXERCISES: Drug calcination assays, Lassaigne assay and elemental analysis. Identification of unknown inorganic drugs and confirmation of the identity of organic and organometallic drugs according to the European Pharmacopoeia. Purification of a drug present in a mixture using the solvent extraction technique. Identification of drugs through IR Spectrophotometry according to Pharmacopoeia.
Expected Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will acquire the basic knowledge to carry out the identification of compounds of pharmaceutical interest of an inorganic, organic and metal-organic nature registered in the European Pharmacopoeia. In particular, the student will be able to perform solubility tests, specific chemical tests, will be able to determine some chemical-physical constants and apply knowledge of IR and UV/Visible spectrophotometry to identify an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Furthermore, students will be able to perform the main separation, isolation and purification techniques of compounds of pharmaceutical interest.
Last update:09-09-2026 00:14:31