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Department of Chemistry, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


CH10136: Fundamentals of organic chemistry for Natural Sciences

Click here for further information Credits: 12
Click here for further information Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Click here for further information Period: Academic Year
Click here for further information Assessment: EX 60%, MC 20%, OT 0%, PR 20%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: CH10136 EXAM (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: In taking this unit you cannot take CH10135
Click here for further information 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. The laboratory component aims to impart some of the essential basic techniques and skills in practical organic chemistry.

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 monofunctionalized 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.
* Select appropriate techniques (IR, NMR and UV and mass spectroscopy) to identify organic compounds in a range of situations.
* Solve practical characterisation problems in organic spectroscopy.
* Assemble and use straightforward apparatus for preparative organic chemistry
* Perform straightforward preparative procedures in chemical synthesis.
* Perform straightforward isolation and purification techniques such as separation and recrystallisation
* Use PCs for communication and basic data analysis and use Library sources for finding chemical information.

Skills:
Data Analysis (F, A); Problem solving (T, F, A); Scientific writing (F, A); Oral communication (F).

Content:
a) Lewis structures, resonance, orbitals and hybridisation, conjugation, hyperconjugation. Conformation and configuration; enantiomers, diastereomers. Acids and bases. Solvation. Stability and equilibrium. Kinetics and reaction energy profiles.
b) Characteristic reactions of alkenes and haloalkanes: mechanisms for electrophilic addition to alkenes; aliphatic nucleophilic substitution; elimination.
c) Properties, synthesis and interconversion reactions of alcohols, ethers, amines, ketones, aldehydes, and carboxylic acids with their derivatives. Mechanism and applications in synthesis.
d) In the laboratory setting looking at the similarities and differences between aliphatic and aromatic compounds.
e) IR spectra of functional group containing compounds. Origins and applications of proton and carbon NMR spectra. Elucidating structures from spectra.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

CH10136 is Optional on the following programmes:

Programmes in Natural Sciences
  • UXXX-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences with Industrial Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AFM01 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AKM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Professional Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 1
  • UXXX-AAM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 1

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.