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CHEM302 Organic Chemistry

Application of the principles of organic chemistry to an understanding of why organic compounds react as they do; to develop the ability to predict the course of a chemical reaction to allow for the design of controlled and selective chemical transformations.

CHEM302 Organic Chemistry focuses on how the concepts and techniques of organic chemistry may be applied to interpret chemical reactions and to plan chemical transformations. The principles involved apply equally to reactions performed in the laboratory and to those proceeding in living systems.

Paper title Organic Chemistry
Paper code CHEM302
Subject Chemistry
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) $1,141.35
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.

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Prerequisite
CHEM 202
Schedule C
Science
Eligibility

CHEM302 is an important paper for chemistry majors wishing to proceed to a career that involves organic chemistry and for all general degree students requiring knowledge and understanding of organic chemistry to underpin their major subject.

Contact

Dr Eng Wui Tan

Tel 64 3 479 7926

Location: Science II, 2n9

ewtan@chemistry.otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator: Dr Eng Wui Tan

Lecturers: Professor James Crowley

Associate Professor Bill Hawkins

Dr Nick Green

Paper Structure

The topics covered in CHEM302 are:

  • Frontier molecular orbital theory and reactive intermediates.
    • Examination of the transformations involving carbocations, carbenes and free radicals, including reactions that involve structural rearrangements.
    • Pericyclic reactions such as electrocyclic reactions; cycloadditions and 1,3-dipolar additions will also be studied.
    • An underlying theoretical basis will be the use of pictorial representations of molecular orbitals to interpret the selectivity of chemical reactions.
  • Heterocyclic chemistry.
    • Structure, nomenclature, aromaticity and reactivity of heterocycles.
    • Synthesis of heterocycles via condensation and pericyclic reactions.
    • Cross-coupling reactions of heterocycles.
  • Molecules of living systems.
    • Neighbouring group effects: bridged reaction intermediates, rate acceleration, rearrangements, organometallic catalysis and asymmetric induction.
Teaching Arrangements
There are three lectures and one 4-hour laboratory class each week.
Textbooks

Highly Recommended:

Bruice, P.Y. Organic Chemistry, (4th edn), Prentice-Hall

Recommended:

March, J. Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure, (4th or 5th edn), Wiley

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes
Expectations at the completion of the paper:
  • An attainment of appropriate knowledge of pericyclic reactions, reactions of carbon-centred reaction intermediates, the chemistry of heterocyclic aromatic compounds, synthetic reaction analysis, reagent choice, compound purification and spectroscopic characterisation
  • An ability to work efficiently and effectively in a multistep laboratory synthesis while planning ahead to reduce any perceived hazards
  • An ability to analyse critically an experimental procedure and write a formal report using standard scientific terminology

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Timetable

Semester 2

Location
Dunedin
Teaching method
This paper is taught On Campus
Learning management system
Blackboard

Lecture

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend
A1 Monday 12:00-12:50 28-34, 36-41
Tuesday 12:00-12:50 28-34, 36-41
Wednesday 12:00-12:50 28-34, 36-41

Practical

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend one stream from
A1 Tuesday 14:00-17:50 28-34, 36-41
A2 Wednesday 14:00-17:50 28-34, 36-41