Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This subject aims to provide students with an understanding of:

1. the principles of coordination and bio-inorganic chemistry and how these relate to the design and synthesis of metal-based and metal-chelating therapeutic agents
2. the utility of organometallic reagents in organic synthesis
3. the fundamentals of pericyclic reactions and their application to the synthesis of bioactive compounds
4. the chemistry used to prepare heterocycles and their substituted derivatives, including several important heterocyclic drugs

• Coordination chemistry and inorganic medicinal chemistry
• Organometallic reagents in synthesis
• Pericyclic chemistry
• Synthesis of heterocycles
• Reactions of aromatic heterocycles
• Synthesis of heterocyclic drugs

Objectives

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

1. Describe and rationalise the properties of simple coordination complexes
2. Describe synthetic routes for preparing coordination complexes
3. Explain how a variety of metal-based therapeutic agents work
4. Draw mechanisms and rationalise the outcome of a range of organometallic, pericyclic and heterocyclic reactions
5. Apply knowledge of organometallic, pericyclic and heterocyclic reactions to the design of synthetic routes for preparing simple organic compounds
6. Describe the syntheses of several important heterocyclic drugs
7. Demonstrate the development of synthetic laboratory skills appropriate for a 2nd year student
8. Demonstrate the development of written communications skills appropriate for a 2nd year student

Assessment

Final exam (2.5 hour): 70%; practical assessments: 20%; practical exam:10%.

Chief examiner(s)

Bernard Flynn

Contact hours

36 hours of lectures; nine 4 hour practical classes

Prerequisites

PSC1021 Organic Chemistry I
PSC1022 Organic Chemistry II

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/