Syllabus for Organic Synthesis

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• describe methods for synthesis and transformation of the most common functional groups
• describe and apply stereochemical concepts such as chirality, stereoisomerism, and stereoselectivity in relation to chemical transformations
• identify, analyse and evaluate synthetic routes to target molecules using retrosynthesis
• apply organometallic reagents and reactions in organic synthesis
• plan and design experimental setups for various types of laboratory tests, perform transformations of importance for organic synthesis, perform basic risk assessment and document laboratory work in the form of laboratory journal.
• give oral and written accounts on the content and results of the laboratory practicals.

Content

Synthetically important reactions and their mechanisms. Selectivity. Organometallic chemistry and its application in organic synthesis, including asymmetric catalysis. Chiral materials and reagents. Retrosynthesis

Organic-chemical literature work. Analysis methodology in synthetic organic chemistry, including methods for the determination of optical purity. Planning and implementation of short reaction sequences. The laboratory exercises consist of syntheses where important methods for organic synthesis are practiced and several target molecules are active components of drugs. Training of oral and written communication skills is integrated into the course.

In particular, students will:

- present and discuss the results of one-step syntheses (theory, used techniques and experimental setups, purity verification, yields) in a small group of students

- present and discuss the results of multistep syntheses orally and in writing (literature search, proposed pathway, results of practical synthesis work, used techniques and experimental setups, purity control, yields), with feedback to and from fellow students.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, laboratory work and possibly study visits and guest speakers. Oral presentations and communication training in connection with synthesis seminars where the students present their results to the group. Laboratory seminars and study visits / guest lectures are mandatory.

Assessment

A written examination is organised at the end of the course and represents 8 credits. The practical exercises including oral and written reports correspond to 7 credits. One of the reports should have a method section in English that meets the requirements set for publication in international journals in synthetic organic chemistry. The final grade is obtained when all parts of the course are passed, and is a weighted sum of the results of the examination and the practical assignments.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.