CH3O2-Advanced Organic Chemistry - Contemporary Synthetic Methodology

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Chris Smith
Email: c.d.smith@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The course aims to relate advanced topics in organic chemistry to topics covered in previous modules and provide a foundation of knowledge to enable a better understanding of the primary chemical literature.

Aims:

The course aims to relate advanced topics in organic chemistry to subject areas covered in previous modules and provide a foundation of knowledge to enable a better understanding of the primary chemical literature.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students who have successfully completed this module will be able to:

• Describe the use of a variety of metal-based reagents in organic synthesis.


• Construct relatively complex organic molecules revealing synthetic strategies for target synthesis.


• Be able to describe the rules governing pericyclic reactions and outline their use in organic synthesis.

Additional outcomes:

Through the provision of lectures and tutorials students will develop a broader appreciation of the expansive nature of modern synthetic organic chemistry. The ability of each student to understand and apply this knowledge will be developed via a number of small group tutorials. 

Outline content:

Advanced Organometallic Chemistry (5 lectures): Principles and special features of reactions catalysed by transition metal complexes. The course will focus on cyclisation reactions and the Suzuki, Heck and Stille reactions.

Orbital Symmetry (5 lectures): Electrocyclisations, sigmatropic rearrangements, and cycloadditions. Frontier molecular orbital rules for stereochemical and regiochemical prediction.

Heterocyclic Chemistry (5 lectures): Synthesis andreactions of pyrroles, furans, thiophenes, indoles, pyridines, quinolines and isoquinolines.

Advanced Organic Synthesis and Retrosynthetic Analysis (5 lectures): Strategies involved in the construction of complex natural products. The central role of the carbonyl group in retrosynthetic analysis will be reviewed. The synthesis of a range of structurally complex molecules will be described. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Weekly lectures with two workshops on related material and tutorials.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20	4
Seminars		2
Guided independent study:		74
Total hours by term	0	96	4
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	80
Set exercise	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

1.5 hours.

The examination for this module will require a narrowly defined time window and is likely to be held in a dedicated exam venue.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Online tests to be completed on Blackboard based on material covered.

Submission Dates: Test to be completed as detailed on Blackboard.

Formative assessment methods:

Tutorial work and oral contribution. Students will attend seminars on the material covered in this module. Attendance is compulsory. A seminar comprises both written work and oral contribution.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall 

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment of the written examination is held during the University administered re-examination period in August and will be by examination only worth 100%. Failed coursework may be re-assessed by an alternative assignment before or during the August re-examination period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023