610-320 Organic Chemistry IIIA

Credit cannot be gained for this subject and 610-321 or 610-325.

Chemistry 610-220 or 610-221 and 610-225 (1998: 610-225 plus 610-220 or 610-221).

Upon completion of 610-320, students should comprehend the main types of chemical transformations involved in the synthesis of organic compounds; the range of agents available to effect these transformations; the different types of stereochemical complexity of organic compounds; factors which influence stereochemical outcome; and the procedures for determination of the structures of organic compounds by spectroscopic and chemical techniques.

Students should have also developed time and resource management skills; skills to synthesise a range of organic molecules; knowledge of the application and interpretation of a range of spectroscopic and physical techniques; and experience in reporting the results of an experimental study.

Students should also appreciate the importance of rational, critical and independent thought in chemical science and in the understanding of organic chemistry.

The subject covers pericyclic reactions; the chemistry of alkenes; organometallic reactions, enolates, aldol and related reactions, and the Wittig reaction; reductions and rearrangements with emphasis on chemo-, regio-, and stereo-selectivity; and applications of nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry to the determination of structure.

The practical course will consist of a number of experiments involving the synthesis and/or chemical and/or instrumental investigations of important classes of organic compounds.

Ongoing assessment of practical work in the form of short reports due during the semester (33%); written assignments not exceeding six pages due during the semester (10%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (57%). Satisfactory completion of both theory and practical work is necessary to pass the subject.