CHEM40090

This Module seeks to establish an overall understanding of organic chemical reactivity and the potential applications of such understanding. In that context, mechanistic and preparative organic chemistry from previous Modules will be reviewed, extended and applied. This module will also introduce students to recent developments in the application of Pd in catalytic chemistry of use in synthetic chemistry. This module is divided into three sections, the first of which describes the applications of Pd-catalysis to modern organic synthesis. Emphasis will be placed on cross-couplings, aryl aminations and ether formations, CO insertions, the Heck reaction and allylic substitution. Secondly, there will be a particular focus on organonitrogen chemistry because many compounds containing nitrogen have important/useful properties. (e.g. a majority of pharmaceuticals incorporate nitrogen as do a multitude of natural products). The module will look in detail at methods and reactions associated with both the installation and manipulation of the nitrogen-based unit within these compounds. Thirdly, from the preparative standpoint, modern synthesis technologies such as microwave and continuous flow chemistry will be highlighted and complemented by consideration of immobilised reagents, catalysts and scavengers to aid streamlining chemical reactions and purifications. These enabling techniques will be put into the wider context of green chemistry and sustainability considerations and numerous synthesis applications ranging from methodology development to industrially relevant target molecule syntheses will be presented.