Distance Learning Organic Chemistry

Code School Level Credits Semesters
CHEM3009 Chemistry 3 10 Full Year UK
Code
CHEM3009
School
Chemistry
Level
3
Credits
10
Semesters
Full Year UK

Summary

Pd-catalysis in organic synthesis - Tsuji-Trost pi-allyls, Heck Stille, Suzuki, Buchwald-Hartwig, Sonagashira couplings and C-H activations with examples. Selectivity issues and overview of reactivity principles. Organometallics (mainly organolithiums) via metal-halogen exchange, metallation, including special methods of unsaturated types (Shapiro reaction, ortho-metallation) and heterosubstituted systems. Connective C=C bond formation, including Julia and Peterson olefinations and use of sulfur ylides for epoxidation and cyclopropanation. Cuprate chemistry, conjugate addition-electrophilic quench(regiospecfic enolates)including carbocupration and substitution. Protecting groups, synthesis of amino acids/peptides. Stereochemistry and introduction to asymmetric synthesis (chiral pool, chiral reagents, chiral auxiliaries) for enolate alkylation and amine synthesis, catalytic asymmetric oxidation/reduction.

Use of frontier molecular orbital analysis to explain stereochemical and regiochemical outcomes of pericyclic reactions (Woodward-Hoffmann rules). Examples from Diels-Alder reactions, cycloadditions, [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements (Claisen & Cope), [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements (Wittig & Mislow-Evans). Generation and use of reactive intermediates in synthesis (radicals, carbenes, nitrenes). 

Target Students

MSci Hons Chemistry with a Year in Industry OR MSci Medicinal and Biological Chemistry with an Assessed Year in Industry AND for Level 3 students.BSc Hons Chemistry with Industry or Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Apprentices.

Classes

Further Activity Information This module contains: 40 hours of e-learning material and self-directed study; 2 hours of vidcons; 6 hours for coursework. The lecture material is self-directed online study, with points throughout the year at which certain topics should be completed. This is to meet with timetabled vidcons which will be online via Microsoft Teams while at employer sites.

Assessment

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

To introduce students to a range of reagents and synthetic methodology, and to describe how it is applied to the synthesis of organic target molecules. How the use of protecting groups can be used to enable complex molecule synthesis. To show how modern palladium-mediated cross-coupling reactions can be used to synthesise useful organic molecules. To consolidate and develop concepts of organic reactivity and mechanism, primarily using qualitative frontier molecular orbital theory. To illustrate and rationalise molecular rearrangements in organic chemistry. To give an appreciation of the generation and use of reactive intermediates in organic chemistry.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding: 

Intellectual Skills:

Transferable Skills: 

Elements of the following knowledge, skills and behaviours will be built upon in this module:

Conveners

View in Curriculum Catalogue
Last updated 07/01/2025.