Module CHEM2031: RING CHEMISTRY

Department: Chemistry

CHEM2031: RING CHEMISTRY

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To produce understanding of the synthesis and mechanisms of carbocyclic and heterocyclic compounds.

Content

• Aromatic and heterocyclic chemistry: aromaticity and antiaromaticity.
• Uses of heterocycles in synthesis.
• Ring chemistry and stereochemistry: small, normal and medium sized rings.
• Ring synthesis.

Learning Outcomes

• Use simple directing effects in electrophilic aromatic substitution to devise and rationalize synthetic routes leading to the formation of multisubstituted aromatic nuclei.
• Rationalize the relative stabilities and properties of different sized organic ring systems and relate these to their ease of formation and corresponding methods of synthesis.
• Rationalize and describe the conformations of common ring systems and their effect upon reactivity.
• Rationalize and describe key aspects of the stereoelectronics of ring systems with particular reference to the anomeric effect and ring cyclization (Baldwin's rules).
• Appreciate the industrial importance and ubiquity of heterocycles.
• Describe the synthesis of several classes of heterocyclic systems including monocyclic 5 and 6 membered systems in addition to polycyclics.
• Describe the properties and reactions of heterocycles and their derivatives and in particular those with 3-6 membered systems.

• Perform complex experiments in organic chemistry.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures are used to convey concepts and are examined by written papers. This is the best method to assess the knowledge of the students.
• Tutorials are given to ensure that the students have grasped the concepts given in the lectures and to practice examples of problems. The work is formatively assessed.
• Workshops are larger groups of students where problems are considered and common difficulties shared. This ensures that students have understood the work and can apply it to real life situations. These are formatively assessed.
• Laboratory classes teach students techniques in various aspects of organic chemistry. They are continuously assessed so that the student can learn from one session to the next.
• The collection held in January is for students to assess their own learning and performance to improve their examination technique. It is an opportunity for them to assimilate the work completed in the first term. Papers are returned to students with model answers so that they can learn from the experience.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Collection (written exam in week 11). Set work, such as preparation for tutorials and workshops.