CHEM3117: ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

• Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012) AND Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry (CHEM2087).

• Core Chemistry 3 (CHEM3012) OR Bioactive Chemistry 3 (CHEM3211).

• None.

• To expand and promote the knowledge of synthetic and mechanistic chemistry and the biosynthesis of natural products.

• Catalysis and mechanism: general principles and applications.
• Natural product biosynthesis: comparison of synthetic reactions with natural reagents, methods to establish biosynthetic pathways.
• Molecular recognition and bindng.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Categorise the different types of catalytic reactions.
• Understand the basis of covalent catalysis including nucleophilic catalysis and catalysis by cofactors, thiamine pyrophosphate and pyridoxal phosphate.
• Understand the origins of intramolecular catalysis and their relation to effective molarity.
• Rationalize the high efficiencies of enzymes based on contributions from different forms of catalysis.
• Understand the importance of intermolecular interactions and how modulation of structure, charge and solvation changes affinity in natural and synthetic systems;
• Describe how different classes of common natural products are biosynthesised from simple precursors.
• Understand the mechanisms for key enzymatic transformations in a range of biosynthetic pathways.
• Categorise different natural products based on their structural features.
• Explain how isotopes and NMR methods can be applied to establish and differentiate between biosynthetic pathways.

Subject-specific Skills:

Key Skills:

• Problem solving, developed through practice.
• information retrieval and scientific writing, exercised through assignments for workshops.
• Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.

• Lectures are used to convey concepts, demonstrate what is required to be learned and to illustrate the application of theory to practical examples. When appropriate, lectures will be supported by written on-line material, or by information and relevant links on Blackboard Learn Ultra.
• Private study should be used by students to develop their subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation, through reading textbooks and literature. Students will be able to obtain further help in their studies by approaching their lecturers, either after lectures or at other mutually convenient times.
• Workshops are where groups of students consider problems and explore common shared difficulties. Problem exercises provide students the chance to develop their theoretical understanding and problem-solving skills. This ensures that students have understood the work and can apply it to real life situations. These are formatively assessed.
• Student performance will be assessed through examinations. Examinations test students' ability to work under pressure under timed conditions, to prepare for examinations and direct their own programme of revision and learning and develop key time management skills. The examination will provide the means for students to demonstrate the acquisition of subject knowledge and the development of their problem-solving skills.

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