This course briefly revises the basic of organic chemistry (structures, properties and reactivity of organic molecules of interest to textile materials). Then it provides an introduction to spectroscopies, including colorimetry: the basics of color theory is discussed. Further topics are surfactants and dyes. The course includes a description of the chemical literature.

By completing this course the student will be able to:
1. Draw correct structural representations of simple organic molecules and write basic reactions
2. Choose spectroscopic techniques for the identification of organic products
3. Have a background on colorimetry.
4. Have a knowledge on dyes, surfactants and their application in textiles
5. Prepare a basic bibliographic search

Students should know the basics of general chemistry.

Organic compounds classification and main rules for name assignement. Molecular Structure, Acidity and Basicity. Stereochemistry. Examples of reactions relevant to textile processes.
Absorption and reflectance spectroscopies. UV-visible spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy. Spectroscopic quantitative analysis by calibration curve method and standard addition method.
Color theory and colorimetry.
Dyes structures, classification according the Colour Index (C.I.), applications
Surfactants, surface tension and wettability.
The scientific literature: primary and secondary sources, patents. Bibliographic search

test

Two lab experiments:
Quantitative determination of a dye by UV-visible spectroscopy.
Surface tension determination

Handouts will be available.
Most of the readings on organic chemistry are from this textbook:
M.B. Smith J. March, March's Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure Wiley, New York, 2001
For spectroscopies and color, students can refer to: Modern Spectroscopy Wiley, New York, 2004
M.L Gulrajani Ed.Colour Measurement: Principles, Advances and Industrial Applications Woodhead London 2010

Written test on a selection of topics; a basic biblio search (in the form of slides presentation to the class) on a subject chosen by the student. Past presentations were on: synthesis of aerogels and their applications in textiles; water repellency for waterproof fabrics; examples of biomimicry for textile appplications, superabsorbency...