CHEM40090 Methods in Organic Synthesis 2

Academic Year 2020/2021

This Module seeks to establish an overall understanding of organic chemical reactivity and the potential applications of such understanding. In that context, mechanistic and preparative organic chemistry from previous Modules will be reviewed, extended and applied. The mechanistic topics covered include, among others, orbital controlled reactions, linear free energy relationships, photochemistry and the mechanisms of biological reactions. There will be a particular focus on organonitrogen chemistry because many compounds containing nitrogen have important/useful properties. (e.g. a majority of pharmaceuticals incorporate nitrogen as do a multitude of natural products). The Module will look in detail at methods and reactions associated with both the installation and manipulation of the nitrogen-based unit within these compounds. From the preparative standpoint, modern synthesis technologies such as microwave and continuous flow chemistry will be highlighted and complemented by consideration of immobilised reagents, catalysts and scavengers to aid streamlining chemical reactions and purifications. These enabling techniques will be put into the wider context of green chemistry and sustainability considerations. Finally, numerous synthesis applications ranging from methodology development to industrially relevant target molecule syntheses will be presented.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge and understanding of:
• the principles of organic chemical reactivity, its measurement and the mechanisms of biological reactions;
• the different types of pericylic reactions and the range of reactivity that can be measured by kinetic and other mechanistics investigation
• photochemistry including photocatalysis
• the different types of nitrogen functionality and how their structure leads to different types of chemistry including bonding concepts using the valence bond model and basicity;
• the formation of amines, imines and enamines; their various rearrangements and cycloaddition reactions and a review of amino protection;
• modern synthesis technologies such as microwave and flow chemistry, immobilised reagents, catalysts and scavengers.
• sustainable chemical processes that improve on current practices and the integration of flow chemistry for the synthesis of drug-like target structures.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

27
Tutorial

9
Autonomous Student Learning

72
Total

108
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The key approaches to teaching and learning are through the delivery of lectures and completion of tutorials and problem sets. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

This module is intended for students in the final year of an Honours Chemistry degree program or post graduate students in a Chemical discipline. Other students wishing to take this module must have a comparable background in chemistry and must consult the School.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
CHEM40760 - Org Synthesis 2, taught MSc


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: various assessments over the semester Varies over the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

15
Examination: end of semester examination 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

85

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Clayden et al, Organic Chemistry plus additional reading materials advised by each lecturer on the Module
Name Role
Assoc Professor Marcus Baumann Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Paul Evans Lecturer / Co-Lecturer