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Department of Chemistry, Unit Catalogue 2007/08


CH30128 Topics in organic chemistry

Credits: 6
Level: Honours
Semester: 1
Assessment: EX100
Requisites:
Before taking this unit you must take CH20014 or take CH20078
In taking this unit you cannot take Recent developments in organic chemistry as a component of CH30061. Aims: The aim of the unit is to give students a thorough grounding in the methods, strategies and reagents employed in modern stereoselective organic synthesis.
Learning Outcomes:
After studying this unit students should be able to:
* Analyse the stereochemical course of a variety of reactions.
* Describe reagent systems to effect a wide range of simple transformation.
* Appreciate why organoelement chemistry is used in synthesis.
* Describe a wide range of new synthetic transformations.
* Describe fully the mechanism of these reactions.
* Apply the information learnt to solve problems.
Skills:
Problem solving (T, F, A), Scientific writing (F, A), Independent working (F), Group working (F).
Content:
The unit begins with a section concerned with the simple diastereoselection, focusing on the reactions of carbonyl and alkene systems. The concepts of allylic strain and directed reactions are introduced. the use of chiral auxiliaries to control the sterochemistry of organic reactions forms the second section. Particular systems studied include the use of SAMP and RAMP hydrozones and Evans' auxiliaries to control a range of chiral-enolate based bond constructions. The final section of the unit focuses on the development and application of practical enantioselective catalysts of particular relevance to the fine chemical industry. Examplse of transformations to be studied will include hydrogenation of double bonds, oxidations and carbon-carbon bond forming reactions. Organoboron chemistry. Organosilicon chemistry. Organophosphorus chemistry. Organosulphur chemistry. Organometallics in Organic synthesis. Carbonylation reactions. Coupling Reactions. Methods of C-C bond formation.