Module manager: Steve Marsden
Email: S.P.Marden@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Completion of level 1 of a UG Chemistry programme similar to that at Leeds
CHEM2121 & CHEM2221
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module will examine how the shapes of organic molecules impact their physical properties and reactivity. It will introduce new classes of reactions such as pericyclic reactions and enols/enolates as reactive carbon-centred nucleophiles. It will cover the principles of heterocyclic chemistry which plays a role in biological systems such as DNA, enzymes and coenzymes. The module will examine the fundamental principles of organic chemistry and their applications in the synthesis of complex organic molecules.
On completion of this module students should be able to:
- Apply the principles of stereochemistry, enols/enolates and pericyclic reactions to explain the reactivity of organic molecules, predict their reaction pathways and suggest appropriate reaction conditions to yield a desired product.
- Demonstrate an understanding of organic and biological chemistry to explain the pathways of biological systems.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:
1. Demonstrate how conformation and stereochemistry can control mechanistic pathways and predict synthetic products.
2. Write appropriate mechanisms (e.g., of enols/enolates with appropriate electrophiles; of pericyclic reactions; of formation of aromatic heterocycles) and rationalise the outcome of the reactions in terms of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters.
3. Apply organic chemistry to biological systems in unseen examples.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills:
a. Manage time and plan work to meet deadlines.
b. Use the principles of stereochemistry, enol/enolates, pericyclic reactions and biological chemistry to solve unseen problems.
1) Classes of organic reactions including enolisation, reactions of enols and enolates with electrophiles, Wittig reaction, Diels Alder reaction and 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions
2) Conformation and stereochemistry and how these impact reaction mechanisms
3) Pericyclic reactions and aromatic heterocyclic structures
4) Organic chemistry of biological systems
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 44 | 1 | 44 |
| Seminar | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Private study hours | 152 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 48 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
There will be the opportunity for students to submit written work prior to four tutorials. The tutor will mark and return the feedback.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team