Module overview
The course introduces an array of chemical reactions that facilitate carbon-to-carbon bond formation and functional group interconversions.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Recognise the properties of reagents and solvents and how these relate to their use in organic reactions
- Recognise reactive centres in organic molecules and the types of reactions that they can undergo.
- Draw simple mechanisms to explain the outcomes of reactions.
- Predict the outcomes of reactions based on the properties of the functional groups that are present.
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Meet the learning outcomes of a co-requisite practical module.
Syllabus
Enolate chemistry for α-alkylation of aldehydes, ketones and acid derivatives.
Reactions of alkyl halides and sulfonates with nucleophiles. Revision of SN1 and SN2 reactions including mechanisms and synthetic utility. The formation of alkyl halides from alcohols and alkenes, and their reactions with carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorous nucleophiles. Markovnikov and anti-Markovnikov alkene addition, and related, reactions including hydration, hydrohalogenation, halogenation, epoxidation and hydroboration. Elimination reactions including mechanisms for E1, E2 and E1CB processes and the competition between these and substitution reactions. Grignard reagents for C-C bond formation.
An introduction to carbonyl chemistry including structure and bonding, polarisation, oxidation levels, leaving group ability and the influence of attached atoms on reactivity. Principle reactions with nucleophiles, electrophiles and bases and loci of reactivity. Addition of HCN, hydride and organometallic reagents. Nucleophilic substitution and addition/elimination reactions at the carbonyl group in carboxylic acid derivatives. Formation of esters from acids and alcohols. The preparation and use of acid chlorides. The hydrolysis of esters and their reactions with nucleophiles. The chemistry of nitriles and an introduction to multi-step target-oriented synthesis.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures, small group tutorials and laboratory sessions.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Revision | 20 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 20 |
| Tutorial | 5 |
| Lecture | 24 |
| Assessment tasks | 24 |
| Wider reading or practice | 22 |
| Practical | 30 |
| Total study time | 145 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
J. Clayden, N. Greeves, S. Warren (2012). Organic Chemistry.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Final exam, tutorials and laboratory marks. The latter are accumulated under the co-requisite lab module.Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Assessed Tutorials | 10% |
| Laboratory practicals | 30% |
| Final Assessment | 60% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External