66201 - Advanced Organic Chemistry M

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student is acquainted with and masters the following aspects: -Stereoselectivity in C-C bond forming reactions: definitions and applications. -How to represent 3D chiral molecular structures on a plane. -Reaction models enabling the rationalization of C-C bond forming reaction outcomes. Special focus is set on the stereochemistry of the transformations. -Asymmetric catalysis: basic principles and innovative applications, involving both metal (e.g. Lewis acids) and organic (e.g. proline and its derivatives) catalysts. -Application of the aforementioned concepts to the synthesis of structurally and stereochemically complex compounds.

Course contents

Preliminary requirements to follow and understand the course:

basic knowledge in organic chemistry: reactivity, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms.

Contents:

The course deals primarily with organic chemical reactions for the creation of C-C bonds emphasizing enolate chemistry and asymmetric catalysis.  The course gives also advanced knowledge in oxidations and reduction reactions in organic chemistry. The emphasis is on the different chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity of the different reaction types. Fundamental retrosynthetic analysis of target molecules is taught as means to design multistep synthesis. The course is focused on applying a mechanistic approach to understand the outcome of chemical reactions.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture handouts (in English). Available on the web.

Teaching methods

Class lectures and chemistry problems directed at the application of the main concepts described in the course.

Assessment methods

Oral exam: chemistry problems dealing with the topics of the course.

Teaching tools

Class lectures with videoprojections

Office hours

See the website of Luca Bernardi