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CHEM40090

Academic Year 2024/2025

Methods in Organic Synthesis 2 (CHEM40090)

Subject:
Chemistry
College:
Science
School:
Chemistry
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Patrick Guiry
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

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.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge and understanding of:
• the applications of Pd-catalysis to modern organic synthesis;
• catalytic cycles for the full range of Pd-catalysed couplings (Heck reaction, cross-couplings, arly aminations and ether formations, CO insertions and allylic substitutions;
• the different types of nitrogen functionality and how their structure leads to different types of chemistry including bonding concepts using the valence bond model and basicity;
• the formation of amines, imines and enamines; their various rearrangements and cycloaddition reactions and a review of amino protection;
• modern synthesis technologies such as microwave and flow chemistry, immobilised reagents, catalysts and scavengers.
• sustainable chemical processes that improve on current practices and the integration of flow chemistry for the synthesis of drug-like target structures.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

72

Lectures

27

Tutorial

9

Total

108


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The key approaches to teaching and learning are through the delivery of lectures and completion of tutorials and problem sets.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

This module is intended for students in the final year of an Honours Chemistry degree program or post graduate students in a Chemical discipline. Other students wishing to take this module must have a comparable background in chemistry and must consult the School.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
CHEM40760 - Org Synthesis 2, taught MSc


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): End of Trimester Written Examination End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
85
No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: One Mid-Trimester Quiz during a lecture Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
5
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Two homework assignments based on lecture material Week 5, Week 11 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Clayden et al, Organic Chemistry plus additional reading materials advised by each lecturer on the Module

Name Role
Assoc Professor Marcus Baumann Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Peter Byrne Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Paul Evans Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 10:00 - 11:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 12:00 - 12:50