CHE-30039 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Successful completion of FHEQ level 5 modules or equivalent in Chemistry.

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

Building on key concepts introduced in years 1 and 2, this module develops some advanced ideas in organic chemistry. Including transition-metal catalysis, pericyclic reactions and main-group organoelement chemistry, the chemical reaction types covered are at the heart of modern organic synthesis and have led to a number of Nobel prizes. Real-world examples from across the industrial spectrum (e.g. pharmaceuticals, fine-chemicals, materials) will be used to highlight just how useful these reactions are to society. The module will be taught using a combination of lectures, workshops and problem classes. The lecture content will be highly integrated with the course-work component, which will include a synthesis-design exercise and an interview aimed at placing the course material in the context of real-world synthetic applications. This will develop useful career skills and provide valuable experience of the type of technical interview commonly used as part of graduate recruitment in the chemical industries.

to build upon theories and concepts in Organic Chemistry introduced at Levels 4 and 5;
to develop skills for the application of Organic Chemistry to the synthesis of high-value products including pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals;
to develop analytical, problem solving and organisational skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe the mechanism of a variety of useful transition-metal catalysed organic reactions in terms of a sequence of fundamental mechanistic sub-processes: 1
analyse and predict the stereospecific outcomes of a variety of pericyclic organic reactions according to the ¿conservation of orbital symmetry¿ (using both the Frontier-Molecular-Orbital approach and the Woodward-Hoffmann rules): 1
describe and explain how the bonding and electronic structure in a variety of main-group organoelement molecules influences the reaction chemistry displayed by these species: 1
apply knowledge gained of the chemical reaction types covered in the course to the planning and design of efficient syntheses of a variety of industrially important target molecules:

Study hours

Active Learning Hours:
Lectures: 18
Workshops: 6
Interview: 0.5
Independent Study Hours:
Preparation for Interview: 20
Directed Independent Learning: 103
Exam: 3

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment