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- UCAS course code
- F152
- UCAS institution code
- M20
MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry / Course details
Year of entry: 2023
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Course unit details:
Advanced Organic Synthesis
Unit code | CHEM40411 |
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Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 4 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Offered by | Department of Chemistry |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This course unit detail provides the framework for delivery in 21/22 and may be subject to change due to any additional Covid-19 impact.
Organometallics in synthesis (Prof Igor Larrosa, 8 lectures)
- Applications of main group metal complexes to organic synthesis
- Directed C-H metallation of organic substrates using organolithiums.
- Organocuprate chemistry
- Organogold catalysis for alkene and alkyne functionalisation
- Catalytic C-H activation using transition metals
Transition metal catalysis (Prof M Greaney, 8 lectures)
- Palladium-catalysed cross coupling using Stille, Suzuki, and related methods
- The Heck reaction
- Palladium-catalysed C-N and C-O bond formation
- C-H activation in synthesis
- Alkene and alkyne metathesis in synthesis
Total Synthesis (Dr G Crisenza, 8 lectures)
- The importance and value of total synthesis
- Planning synthesis by recognising key disconnections based on the functional groups present
- Strategic application of named and common organic reactions in complex settings
- Rationalising substrate controlled stereoselectivity
- Reagents used to interconvert common functional groups
- The power of ring forming reactionsMulticomponent and cascade reactions
Aims
- To provide an up-to-date account of modern methods in synthetic organic chemistry, with an emphasis on transition metal catalysis
- To cover key transformations in depth and to put them in context in synthesis
- To cover the strategies employed in the total synthesis of complex natural products
Learning outcomes
Students should be able to:
- Appreciate how modern synthetic organic chemistry is conducted
- Propose plausible organometallic synthetic strategies or routes to complex organic structures
- Propose suitable reagents for given transformations
- Be able to suggest mechanistic or strategic rationales for given synthetic routes
- Understand the principle mechanisms of transition metal catalysed cross coupling, C-H activation, and metathesis reactions
- Have an appreciation of the importance and value of total synthesis
Teaching and learning methods
Unseen Examination
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Problem-solving skills that involve applying the information learned to unseen organic transformations and syntheses
- Time management and organisational skills (ability to work independently and to work efficiently and effectively)
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
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Written exam | 100% |
Feedback methods
- Members of staff will provide written or verbal feedback on specific questions that students may have on any aspect of the course.
- In addition, a detailed set of answers will be available for all questions set by the staff members. The answer sheets will be made available in lectures and will be able to be downloaded from Blackboard.
- Staff will also give feedback on attempts made on past exam papers and will be able to provide an approximate classification.
- Students are encouraged to work through the problem sheets supplied on Blackboard and submit answers to the lecturers for feedback.
Recommended reading
- J. Clayden, N. Greeves, S. Warren, P. Wothers "Organic Chemistry" Oxford University Press
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Assessment written exam | 2 |
Lectures | 21 |
Practical classes & workshops | 3 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 74 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Michael Greaney | Unit coordinator |