Module Outline:

The aim of this module is to introduce the fundamentals of organic chemistry, including the chemistry of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids and their derivatives. The approach involves understanding and application of key concepts including structure, reactivity and bond formation, basic stereochemistry, conformation and basic organic reaction mechanisms.

Module Aims:

At the end of the module students should be able to:
1. Understand and use the concepts of constitution, configuration and conformation
2. Use curved arrows to show electron flow and hence provide all basic mechanisms.
3. Understand and use energy profiles.
4 Understand molecular orbital alignment in basic chemical reactions.
5. Understand the structure and chemistry of alkanes, alkynes, alkynes, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers and epoxides, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, simple compounds containing nitrogen.
6. Deduce reactions in sequence to provide syntheses of simple organic compounds.
7. Understand the importance of risk assessment for laboratory practicals and maintain an accurate record in your laboratory notebook.
8 Perform synthetic procedures as directed and interpret the outcome of a reaction including the assignment of IR spectra.Teaching and Learning Methods:

Lectures: The topics will be introduced through a blended delivery of asynchronous videos with online activities, and support hours.

Tutorials: Your learning is supported by nine tutorials the questions for which will be available on Moodle in advance. It is expected that you review the lecture material and attempt the questions prior to attending the tutorial. Tutorials are designed as an opportunity to receive feedback on your understanding of the module material; hence preparation is essential if you wish to derive the most benefit. Tutorial attendance is monitored and compulsory.

Self-study: ESSENTIAL reading to be completed BEFORE CHEM0008 begins, and preferably to be read before or alongside CHEM0008 lectures: Clayden, Greeves and Warren ‘Organic Chemistry’, second edition: Structure and delocalisation (Chapters 2, 4 and 7), nucleophiles (pages 354-357), leaving groups (p 347-350 and p 352), reactivity (Chapter 5), using curved arrows (p 116-124), acids and bases (Chapter 8), stereochemistry (Chapter 14), electrophilic aromatic substitutions (Chapter 21), IR spectroscopy (Chapter 3, p 63-72), nucleophilic addition to C=O groups (p 197-224), reduction of C=C and C=O pi-bonds (p 535-539), enols and enolates (p 453-462).

Focus on the core principles and basic examples. Having read those pages, your understanding and assimilation of organic chemistry lectures should be much improved than it would otherwise be, as should be your examination performance. Self-study in organic chemistry is essential in order to master the material. The lectures define and explain the topics, but form only the first part of your learning. You must practise example questions, including quiz and tutorial questions, and additional questions available on Moodle as soon as you have received the lectures in each week. Reading and practising questions identifies concepts that you find difficult, and which you can then ask your tutor to explain. Later, attempting past exam questions will be another key means of monitoring your progress.