Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

Organic compounds are central to a wide range of industries (pharmaceuticals, polymers, dyes, coatings and more) and of fundamental importance for biochemistry, biotechnology and life sciences. This module equips students with the necessary knowledge and understanding for them to study organic chemistry at Stage 4 and/or in the chemical industries; to further enhance the students’ knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry; to introduce modern synthetic chemistry functional group transformations; to highlight the use of organo-element compounds in synthesis; to further develop knowledge of aromatic chemistry to more complex heteroaromatic systems; to introduce transition metal catalysed C-C bond forming reactions; to further develop the concept of retrosynthetic analysis; to equip students with the tools to design and synthesize complex molecules.

Outline Of Syllabus

Oxidations and Reductions in Organic Chemistry and the Formation of Carbonyl Compounds

Transition metal-mediated oxidation of alcohols.
Oxidation of alcohols with organic oxidising agents.
Selective Reductions.
Oxidative cleavage of C=C; ozonolysis.
Synthesis with Dithianes (unpolung).
Nucleophilic additions to carbonyls; Benzoin condensation and MPV reaction.
Hydrogenation/Hydrogenolysis.

P-Block and Organometallic Chemistry

Nucelophilic attack of organometallics; synthesis of organometallics and selectivity
Conjugate additions; hard vs soft nucleophiles and the control of 1,2- versus 1,4-addition
to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds
P-Block Chemistry, including the organo-element chemistry of Si, S, P and B

Heteroaromatic and Coupling Reaction Chemistry

Aromatic systems containing heteroatoms; introduction and overview
Membered heteroatromatics containing one heteroatom; pyrroles, furans and thiophenes
Membered heteroaromatics containing one heteroatom; pyridines
Fused heteroaromatics; indoles and quinolines
Heteroaromatics containing more than one heteroatom
Transition metal catalysed C-C bond forming reactions

Synthesis

Classical synthesis and synthetic strategy
Protecting group chemistry
Retrosynthetic analysis
Syntheses of complex molecules

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module students will be able to:

• understand use of reagents their mechanisms and selectivity in oxidation and reduction reactions
• understand reaction mechanisms of organometallics and their use in synthesis
• understand conjugate addition reactions
• understand the organic chemistry of P-block elements
• understand the chemistry of heteroaromatic systems
• understand transition-metal catalysed carbon-carbon bond formation
• gain an advanced knowledge of protecting group chemistry
• understand the application of reterosynthetic methods to synthetic planning
• gain an advanced knowledge of synthetic strategy

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students will be able to:

• be able to rationalise and predict complex reaction outcomes based on advanced mechanistic understanding
• be able to apply advanced knowledge of organic reactions to design complex molecules over multiple steps

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

A variety of methods will be used for delivery of the material and to ensure that students actively engage with the subject matter. Lectures will provide the basis for enhancing the subject and allow students to take the learning element into future practical sessions.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The summative written examination will assess the level of knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the module. The examination will present students with questions from a selection of topics learnt throughout semester 1 and 2 module content.

Formative assessments will take place throughout the course via online MCQs and questions.

General Notes

N/A