The aim of this course is to give students an understanding of more advanced areas of organic synthesis. Key areas covered include: Palladium-catalysed...

Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry (CHEM0034)

The aim of this course is to give students an understanding of more advanced areas of organic synthesis. Key areas covered include: Palladium-catalysed reactions; Pericyclic organic reactions; Stereoelectronic effects; Gold catalysis; and Stereocontrolled synthesis and manipulation of cyclic and polycyclic molecules.

MODULE AIMS

Student should be able to:
1. Understand how Palladium can be used to catalyse carbon-carbon and carbon-heteratom bond-formation.
2. Know how to predict the outcome of simple diastereoselective reactions.
3. Understand what a pericyclic reaction is and how to explain the chemoselectivity, regioselectivity and stereoselectivity of simple pericyclic reactions
4. Explain why simple organic reactions are favourable/unfavourable due to stereoelectronic effects
5. Use stereoselective and regioselective reactions of decalins to synthesise a variety of products.
6. Understand the mechanisms of a range of simple gold-catalysed reactions
7. Describe how selective reactions can be used to convert sugars into a variety of different molecules.

TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS

The course material will be delivered through a blended approach of lectures/videos and class discussions/workshops. Pre-prepared handouts may be provided by the lecturer, either electronically or a paper copy. The lecturer may additionally require you to make your own notes. Lectures/videos will be available on Lecturecast where the facilities are available; however attendance is considered an indicator of student engagement and is therefore compulsory.

Self-study: In addition to timetabled hours it is expected that you engage in self-study in order to master the material. This can take the form of practicing example questions (additional questions available on Moodle and past exam questions) and further reading in textbooks and online.