Course unit details:
Organic Synthesis

Course unit fact file
Unit code CHEM20411
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Offered by Department of Chemistry
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This unit will comprise of three blocks of lectures which have been selected in order to exemplify how basic concepts relating to structure and bonding can be applied to chemical reactivity.  Each block will consist of seven lectures together with an associated problems class.  The problems classes will illustrate how the basic processes discussed in the lecture material can be applied to unseen problems; students will be encouraged to devise solutions to these problems in collaboration with their peers.  This unit also serves to underscore the synoptic nature of organic chemistry.

 

The topics covered in this unit include:

 

i. The exploitation of stabilised carbanions in organic synthesis and an introduction to retrosynthetic analysis (Dr. Giacomo Crisenza)

 

ii. An introduction to heterocyclic chemistry (Prof. Simon Webb)

 

iii. Structural relationships in organic chemistry (Dr Lu Shin Wong).

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Structure and Reactivity CHEM10412 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

The unit aims to build upon the introduction to the chemistry of carbon compounds developed in CHEM10412. As core organic chemistry, the course unit aims to provide a wide understanding of the occurrence, synthesis and behaviour of organic compounds.

Learning outcomes

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

 

Apply models to describe the electronic structure/bonding in carbonyl-containing and heteroaromatic compounds

Predict the reactivity of carbonyl-containing compounds based on knowledge of structure and bonding

Apply spectroscopic techniques to the prediction of constitution of carbonyl compounds

Propose methods for the synthesis of heteroaromatics from carbonyl precursors

Describe and predict the observed reactivity of heteroaromatics based on knowledge of structure and bonding

Propose and evaluate strategies for the synthesis of small molecules containing common functional groups and  heteroaromatic structures

Predict/rationalise stereochemical outcome of fundamental organic transformations

Apply stereoelectronic arguments to chemical reactivity

Syllabus

Weeks 1-4: Chemistry of the Carbonyl Group (Dr Giacomo Crisenza, 4 asynchronous lectures and 3 synchronous sessions) 

• carbonyl group: reactivity 

• keto-enol tautomerism: spectroscopic studies 

• deprotonation and pKa values of simple carbonyl compounds and 1,3 dicarbonyl compounds; structural, stereoelectronic and solvent effects 

• reactions of enolate anions with electrophiles • enolate akylation, aldol condensations 

• Introduction to retrosynthetic analysis; common disconnections for C-X and C-C bonds; common functional group interconversions (FGIs) application to the synthesis of representative organic molecules. 

 

Weeks 5-8: Introduction to Heterocyclic Chemistry (Dr Simon Webb, 4 asynchronous lectures and 3 synchronous sessions) 

• biologically important heterocyclic compounds – natural products and drugs 

• electrophilic aromatic substitution/nucleophilic aromatic substitution 

• pyridine and pyrrole – properties and reactivity • furan and thiophene – properties and reactivity 

• indole, quinoline and isoquinoline • introduction to saturated heterocycles 

 

  • Lectures
  • Workshops
  • Small-group tutorials
  • Online support using Blackboard.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

• Problem-solving skills

• Communication skills

• Numeracy and Mathematical skills

• Analytical skills

• Time management and organisational skills

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 100%

Feedback methods

Assessed tutorial work: written feedback. Feedback from tutors during tutorials

• Model answers to tutorial questions will be posted on Canvas at the end of each unit

• Mock paper (with outline solutions) to be posted on Canvas

• Feedback during examples class and lectures

• Feedback on examination performance via tutors


 

Recommended reading

J. Clayden, N. Greeves, S. Warren and P. Wothers, Organic Chemistry (Oxford University Press, 2nd Edition 2012), ISBN 978-0-19-927029-3.  Main Library, blue area, floor 3.  547.02 CLA.

 

Available online: https://www.dawsonera.com/abstract/9780191666216 

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 2
Lectures 21
Practical classes & workshops 3
Tutorials 3
Independent study hours
Independent study 71

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Simon Webb Unit coordinator

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students will be £10,050 for the 2027/28 academic year. In England and Wales, tuition fees for home undergraduate students are subject to the Government fee cap, which the Government has announced will be £10,050 for the 2027/28 academic year.

Government policy is to increase the fee cap on an annual basis to reflect inflation (i.e. increasing costs), and the tuition fee home students pay in subsequent academic years will reflect any increases in the Government fee cap (which we will communicate to you as soon as we can in advance of the relevant academic year).

Tuition fees for international students will be £39,700 for the 2027/28 academic year. For subsequent academic years, the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fee by up to 7% each year, including to reflect rising costs associated with delivering our education and wider student experience.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances. For information about scholarships/bursaries/sponsorship please see our undergraduate fees pages and visit our School website .

Return to course details

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.