2023/24 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
CHEM5011M Synthesis and Characterisation of Organic Molecules
15 creditsClass Size: 30
Module manager: Dr Stuart Warriner
Email: s.l.warriner@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2023/24
Module replaces
CHEM3016 Synthesis and Characterisation of Organic MoleculesThis module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
The module will enable students to understand the value of functional organic molecules, and how the selective synthesis of such molecules may be achieved. Students will work in groups to research and understand the value of specific functional organic molecules, and to communicate their finding effectively to their peers. The module will cover strategies, methods and chemical technologies that can be deployed to address specific challenges associated with the synthesis of functional organic molecules. In addition, this course will also provide students with the skills to interpret NMR and mass spectra to determine structures of small molecules.Objectives
On completion of this module, students should:1. be able to work effectively in teams to research, understand and communicate the value of functional organic molecules in addressing major societal problems;
2. be able to understand and apply more advanced concepts in selective organic synthesis, especially in relation to important functional molecules;
3. be familiar with the use of protecting groups to enable efficient and selective syntheses;
4. be familiar with synthetic methods that are widely used to prepare functional organic molecules, including methods for: selective oxidation/reduction, peptide/oligonucleotide synthesis, heterocycle synthesis, (het)arene functionalisation, and transition metal-catalysed cross coupling;
5. be familiar with chemical technologies that can address specific synthetic challenges including solid phase chemistry, parallel chemistry and flow chemistry;
6. use 1H, 13C NMR, and mass spectrometry in combination in the determination of organic compounds;
7. understand the principles underlying NMR spectroscopy and applications to other nuclei.
Learning outcomes
1. Capability to work in teams to research, understand and communicate the value of functional organic molecules;
2. Ability to analyse and understand how selectivity is achieved in organic synthesis;
3. Knowledge of a range of widely-used strategies and methods for the selective synthesis of important classes of functional organic molecules;
4. Ability to understand how chemical technologies can be harnessed to address specific synthetic challenges;
5. Understand and apply 1-dimensional 1H NMR to structure assignment – understand the effects of structure on chemical shifts;
6. Understand complex coupling patterns including the effects of dihedral angle on coupling constants;
7. Understand the use of carbon, fluorine and other NMR nuclei in structural determination of molecules;
8. Understand the application of mass spectrometry to determine molecular formulae and fragmentation patterns for organic molecules.
Syllabus
1. Introduction to project management techniques for group projects;
2. Group work focused on researching, understanding and communicating the value of functional organic molecules;
3. Methods for the selective introduction and removal of protecting groups;
4. Synthetic methods including methods for selective oxidation/reduction, heterocycle synthesis, (het)arene functionalisation, and transition metal-catalysed cross-coupling reactions;
5. Introduction to chemical technologies that can address specific synthetic challenges including: solid phase peptide/oligonucleotide synthesis, flow chemistry and parallel chemistry;
6. Principles of NMR: magnetic fields and nuclear spin; radiofrequency pulses and magnetization; relaxation; chemical shift; the origin of resonance splitting;
7. Applications of NMR: chemical shift tables and basic multiplets; second order effects; advanced multiplet analysis, the Karplus equation; Other nuclei: 13C, DEPT etc; Other nuclei: inorganic examples; 2D NMR;
8. Mass spectrometry: Techniques; accurate mass and isotope patterns.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lectures | 16 | 1.00 | 16.00 |
| seminars | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 16.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 108.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 26.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 | ||
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
2 x sessions to enable group work10 x workshops throughout the module
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Group Project | On-line content with enriched functionality | 15.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 15.00 | |
No resit opportunity available. This module is graded as pass/fail.
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 2 hr 00 mins | 40.00 |
| Open Book exam | 2 hr 00 mins | 45.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 85.00 | |
This module is graded as pass/fail.
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 28/04/2023 14:52:17
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD