BSc Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry

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The unit aims to develop further understanding of mechanistic organic chemistry with a specific emphasis on i) stereoselective reactions; ii) reactive intermediates and iii) pericyclic processes. Elements of strategy, control and application to the synthesis of complex molecules are exemplified throughout the unit.  

Pre-requisite units: Year 1 and Year 2 Core Chemistry 

The unit aims to develop further understanding of synthetic and mechanistic organic chemistry introduced in the previous years. 

On successful completion of the course students should be able to:

• Apply knowledge of molecular structure, reactivity and stereochemistry to both rationalise and predict the stereochemical outcome of chemical reactions.
• Evaluate and propose strategies for the synthesis of complex molecules which include stereoselective reactions.
• Describe the various types of reactive intermediates that are of importance in organic chemistry and explain the physical properties and chemical reactivity of such species.
• Describe the factors that influence the structure, stability and reactivity of different radical species and explain the outcome of important reaction processes.
• Describe the various reaction types undergone by synthetically useful free radicals.
• Predict and rationalise the outcome of unseen transformations involving reactive intermediates
• Apply knowledge of molecular orbital theory and stereochemistry to both rationalise and predict the outcome of pericyclic reactions. 

Stereoselective Synthesis (Prof. Guillaume De Bo, 7 sessions)

1-3. Stereoselective synthesis in cyclic systems

4-6. Stereoselective synthesis in acyclic systems

7. Asymmetric synthesis  

Reactive Intermediates (Dr Carl Poree, 7 sessions)

1. Introduction to reactive intermediates

2. Arynes and strained alkynes.

3. Carbenes, carbenoids and nitrenes.

4-7. Radicals

Pericyclic Reactions (Dr Nathan Owston, 7 sessions)  

1. Introduction to pericyclic reactions

2-3. Cycloadditions  

4-5. Electrocyclic Reactions

6-7. Sigmatropic Rearrangements 

Worked content and problems offer opportunities for both facilitator and peer feedback by

• Providing opportunities for students to master concepts introduced in lectures, and apply these concepts to unseen material.
• Encouraging development of thinking skills (with a focus on critical thinking, analysis, evaluation and application, rather than simple reproduction of knowledge/process)
• Promoting teamwork and collaboration, and the development of skills associated with this, as well as individual responsibility for learning.
• Providing time for students to reflect upon their own learning, and to self-evaluate.

In addition, facilitators share problem-solving approaches/common misconceptions through whole-class feedback. 

Workshop sessions

Provide an opportunity to deliver assessment-specific feedback relating to assessment criteria and understanding of question demand, as well as concerning problem solving in examinations (using past paper questions as exemplars).

Staff

Individual lecturers provide office hours or operate an open-door policy to provide individual, personalised feedback.