Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will be able to understand the nature of bonding in, the synthesis of and the reactions of selected classes of organometallic compounds; describe the major biosynthetic pathways involved in the biosynthesis of a selection of important natural products and to recognise selected classes of such important naturally occurring materials; study the synthesis and properties of selected groups of important heterocyclic compounds; explore the orbital symmetry requirements of electrocyclic reactions; understand the chemical and thermodynamic principles which govern surface properties and surface interactions between chemical substances; extend the concepts of phase equilibria introduced in second level chemistry to include three component systems.
Synopsis Selected topics from organic, physical and organometallic chemistry. Includes phase equilibria, surface chemistry, natural products, steroids, bonding, use and preparation of organometallic compounds, catalysts, organometallic compounds in the environment, heterocyclic chemistry, orbital symmetry. The subject is taught by lectures, tutorials and laboratory work by a team of lecturers.
Assessment Progressive assessment: 80% + Laboratory work: 20% + Relevance of laboratory work to theoretical study: the main emphasis of the laboratory course at this level is on development of a high level of competence in skills and techniques relevant to the professional industrial chemist.