CHM3616

Biotransformations and natural products

New introduction in 1999
Dr A Patti

4 points - First semester - 4 hours lectures and 4 hours of practical work per fortnight for on-campus students - Distance education students complete practical work at a 3-day residential school - Gippsland/Distance - Pre-requisites: CHM2636, CHM2647 and one of either CHM2627 or BCH2616 or CHM2011 and CHM2022 - Prohibition: GAS3251, CHM3031, CHM3042

Objectives On completion of this subject, students will be able to describe a selection of biosynthetic pathways including those leading to the formation of fatty acids, terpenes, steroids, polyketides, alkaloids, selected amino acids and simple carbohydrates; classify a selection of naturally occuring molecules into particular classes; outline the general approaches used to isolate purify and structurally characterise naturally occuring organic molecules; classify selected enzyme controlled reactions and illustrate useful applications of such reactions; show an understanding of the general strategies used by a chemist to design and effect molecular transformations of organic molecules, utilising both conventional reagents and biological reagents; demonstrate the ability to solve organic transformation problems utilising the chemical literature and applying basic analytical spectroscopic techniques to identify molecules; perform selected laboratory procedures safely at an advanced level, including vacuum and steam distillations, preparing samples for spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis; weighing and transferring small quantities of organic compounds and manipulating selected laboratory apparatus; discuss and show an appreciation of the importance of and commercial significance of natural products chemistry and biotransformations.

Synopsis CHM3616 is designed to provide students with the knowledge and understanding of the organic chemistry of selected classes of important naturally occuring compounds and the biosynthetic pathways from which these classes of compounds arise. The subject involves a detailed study of how the organic chemist or biotechnologist might use biotransformations or using biological systems to carry out controlled chemical reactions on organic molecules. The incorporation of 'biotransformation' strategies to organic synthesis will be contrasted with the use of traditional laboratory reagents for selected reactions. In this context, the strategy of organic synthesis will be illustrated. The importance of natural product chemistry in relation to compounds of commercial significance will also be outlined and illustrated using selected drugs, flavouring agents and perfume ingredients as examples.

Assessment Written examination on theoretical material and short problems: 50% - Organic synthesis problems: 15% - Essay: 10% - Laboratory work: 25% - A pass in both theory and practical components is mandatory.

Prescribed texts

Bruice P Organic chemistry Prentice-Hall, 2nd edn, 1998
Hanson J R An introduction to biotransformations in organic chemistry Verlag, 1995
Mann J Chemical aspects of biosynthesis OUP, 1994

Recommended texts

Davies D T Aromatic heterocyclic chemistry OUP, 1992
Herbert R B The biosynthesis of secondary metabolites 2nd edn, Chapman and Hall, 1989
McMurry J Organic chemistry 4th edn, Brooks-Cole, 1996
Ward O Bioprocessing Van Nostrand, 1991

Back to the 1999 Science Handbook