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Department of Chemistry, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


CH30068: Physical organic chemistry

Click here for further information Credits: 3
Click here for further information Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 2
Click here for further information Assessment: EX 100%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take CH20149 or take CH20150 and in taking this unit you cannot take CH40068
Click here for further information Description: Aims & Learning Objectives:
To revise some basic concepts in physical organic chemistry and develop a number of ideas used to correlate reactivity and mechanism in a range of organic reactions. After studying the Unit, students should be able to:
* Describe some experimental tools for investigating reaction mechanisms and the use of some theoretical models for their correlation and interpretation
* Solve a range of problems involving numerical and mechanistic information

Content:
Energy changes in equilibria and reactivity. Transition states and saddle points. Activation parameters. Analysis of reaction coordinates. Principle of Least Nuclear Motion. Hammond Postulate. More O'Ferrall - Jencks diagrams. Rate - equilibrium correlations. Hammett equation as an example of a linear free-energy relationship. Signficance of s and r for reactivity and mechanism. Complex Hammett plots : change in mechanism vs. change in rate-determining step. Equilibrium and kinetic isotope effects. Primary and secondary effects and their significance. Heavy-atom effects. Solvent isotope effects.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

CH30068 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry
  • USCH-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Chemistry (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USCH-AFB07 : BSc (hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USCH-AKB08 : BSc (hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Industrial Training (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USCH-AAB08 : BSc (hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Study Year abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USCH-AFB09 : BSc (hons) Chemistry with Education (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USCH-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Chemistry with Industrial Training (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USCH-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Chemistry with Study Year abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USCH-AFM02 : MChem (hons) Chemistry (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USCH-AFM05 : MChem (hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Full-time) - Year 3

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