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CH10135: Fundamentals of organic chemistry

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2018/9
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Further information on credits Credits: 12      [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 240
Further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Academic Year
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: EX 80%, MC 20%, OT 0%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • S1 MCQ Exam (Paper B) (MC 20%)
  • S2 EXAM (EX 80%)
  • S1 Mock Exam (Paper A) (OT 0%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
CH10135 EXAM (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
In taking this module you cannot take CH10136
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To introduce the basic concepts upon which the understanding of organic chemistry depends, including structure, bonding and mechanism (arrow pushing) in the context of key reactions of organic chemistry. To build upon these basics to develop the concepts and knowledge essential to a sound understanding of modern organic chemistry, including the characteristic properties of organic functional groups (FGs), their interconversions, and their spectroscopic identification.

Learning Outcomes:
After studying this unit, students should be able to:
* Describe the structure and bonding of simple organic molecules in order to explain their chemical behaviour.
* Apply nomenclature, notation and diagrams to describe structures and reactions.
* Describe and explain the general properties, reactions, mechanisms and methods of synthesis for monofunctionalised aliphatic and compounds.
* Describe and explain the mechanisms of nucleophilic aliphatic substitution and elimination reactions and of electrophilic addition to alkenes.
* Describe and explain the mechanisms of nucleophilic addition and substitution reactions of the carbonyl group and condensation reactions.
* Demonstrate the stability of aromatic compounds and compare their reactivity with that of alkenes and carbonyls in a practical sense.
* Apply the methodology of FG interconversions in the synthesis of academically and commercially important target molecules.
* Elucidate the structures of simple organic molecules using a range of spectroscopic techniques.
* Select appropriate techniques (IR, NMR and UV and mass spectroscopy) to identify organic compounds in a range of situations.
* Solve characterisation problems in organic spectroscopy.

Skills:
Numeracy (F, A), Problem solving (T, F, A), Scientific writing (F, A), Oral communication (F).

Content:
Lewis structures, resonance, orbitals and hybridisation, conjugation, hyperconjugation. Conformation and configuration; enantiomers, diastereomers, geometric isomers. Acids and bases, pKas. Solvation. Stability and equilibrium. Kinetics and reaction energy profiles.
Characteristic reactions of alkenes and haloalkanes: mechanisms for electrophilic addition to alkenes; aliphatic nucleophilic substitution (e.g. SN1, SN2) and elimination (e.g. E1, E2).
Concepts of carbonyl chemistry: nucleophilic addition and addition-elimination reactions; oxidation and reduction; carboxylic acid derivatives (e.g. acid chlorides, amides); enolate chemistry.
Properties, synthesis and interconversion reactions of alcohols, ethers, amines, ketones, aldehydes, and carboxylic acids with their derivatives. Mechanism and applications in synthesis.
Similarities and differences between aliphatic and aromatic compounds. Introduction to aromaticity. Hückel's rule. Electrophilic aromatic substitution.
Nucleophilic attack on aromatic rings; applications in synthesis.
IR spectra of functional group containing compounds. Origins and applications of proton and carbon NMR spectra. Elucidating structures from spectra.
While taking this module you must take CH10133 AND take CH10137.
In taking this module you cannot take CH10136.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

CH10135 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry
  • USCH-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry (Year 1)
  • USCH-AAB02 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USCH-AFB07 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Year 1)
  • USCH-AAB08 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USCH-AKB08 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Industrial Placement (Year 1)
  • USCH-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Industrial Placement (Year 1)
  • USCH-AFB03 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Management (Year 1)
  • USCH-AAB04 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Management with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USCH-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Management with Industrial Placement (Year 1)
  • USCH-AFM02 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry (Year 1)
  • USCH-AAM03 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USCH-AFM05 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Year 1)
  • USCH-AAM06 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USCH-AKM03 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Industrial Placement (Year 1)
  • USCH-AKM02 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry with Industrial Placement (Year 1)
  • USCH-AFM07 : MSci(Hons) Chemistry with Management (Year 1)
  • USCH-AKM07 : MSci(Hons) Chemistry with Management with Industrial Placement (Year 1)

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