Module description
This module builds upon the material taught in the 1st year, specifically General & Organic Chemistry. It will be demonstrated how the basic concepts and principles previously introduced can be applied to more complex systems.
The module will cover:
- Carbon-carbon bond formation
- Functional Group inter-conversions
- Heterocyclic Chemistry
- Retrosynthetic Analysis
- Introduction to Bioorganic chemistry
Examples from biological systems and biomedical applications will be used throughout the course to illustrate fundamental concepts and theories. Throughout the course of the module emphasis will be placed on the relevance and application of these topics to synthetic, biological and pharmaceutical situations.
You will build on your knowledge of organic chemistry from year 1 to gain a firm grounding in the principles of organic chemistry including reactivity of functional groups and design of simple syntheses. You will understand the importance of understanding the difference between how functional groups interact and predicting mechanisms in organic synthesis as as well as in biological systems.
Assessment details
Written examinations and coursework.
| Exam |
70% |
| Problem Set |
20% |
| MCQ/SAQ |
10% |
Educational aims & objectives
This module builds upon the material taught in the 1st year, specifically General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry 1 and 2. It will be demonstrated how the basic concepts and principles previously introduced can be applied to more complex systems.
Practical examples as well as examples from biology will be used throughout the course to illustrate fundamental concepts and theories. Throughout the course of the module, emphasis will be placed on the relevance and application of these topics to synthetic, biological and pharmaceutical situations.
You will build on your knowledge of organic chemistry from year 1 to gain a firm grounding in the principles of organic chemistry including reactivity of functional groups and design of simple syntheses. You will understand the importance of understanding the difference between how functional groups interact and predicting mechanisms in organic synthesis as as well as in biological systems.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the module, you should be able to:
- Bring together your knowledge of synthetic reactions/functional group interconversions to design a viable synthesis for a simple molecule.
- Understand the importance of chemical mechanism and become more confident in working out curly arrow mechanisms.
- Understand the chemical properties and reactivity of aromatic heterocyclic compounds and their importance in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry and biological systems.
- Understand the chemical properties and reactivity of different heteroatoms and their importance in both organic synthesis and biological systems.
- You should also generally begin to understand the similarities and differences between synthetic chemistry and biological chemistry.
Tutorials and workshops will be interspersed with lectures as necessary to apply concepts and theories covered in lectures to solve specific chemical problems and improve understanding.
Indicative Syllabus
- Functional group interconversions
- C-C bond formation
- Aromatic heterocycles
- Retrosynthetic analysis
- Introduction to Bioorganic Chemistry
Teaching pattern
29 hours lectures, 6 hours workshops