The aim of this module is to offer students a grounding in organic chemistry and spectroscopy that is directly relevant to Pharmacology.
There will be a particular emphasis on relating each topic studied to pharmacological examples.

(LO1) Upon successful completion of this module, a student will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the structure and bonding in a range of molecules, from simple organics to larger biologically relevant structures.

(LO2) Upon successful completion of this module, a student will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the significant role of stereochemistry and conformation in a pharmacological setting

(LO3) Upon successful completion of this module, a student will be able to demonstrate an understanding of an array of chemical reactions

(LO4) Upon successful completion of this module, a student will be able to demonstrate an understanding of a range of spectroscopic methods

(LO5) Upon successful completion of this module, a student will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the chemical principles in both the synthesis of biologically relevant structures

(LO6) Upon successful completion of this module, a student will be able to apply these concepts and principles to process and solve unseen organic chemistry problems.

(S1) Improving own learning/performance - Reflective practice

(S2) Critical thinking and problem solving - Problem identification

(S3) Personal attributes and qualities - Resilience

(S4) Students will develop independent learning and self-evaluation skills

Lectures. 28 x 1 hr lectures, with 3 additional revision sessions.

Coursework. 5 x 2.5 hr in-person workshops to support the lecture material to give students the opportunity to obtain immediate and directed feedback.

Class test. A mid-term class test will allow students to see how they are progressing.

*Lectures: 31 hr
*Coursework: 12.5 hr

Structure, bonding and basic reactivity
· Covalent bonds, Lewis structures, hybridisation, curly arrows, functional groups, resonance structures, conjugation, delocalisation
· Nucleophiles and electrophiles
· Acids and Bases, pKa
· Carbocations and carbanions

Stereochemistry
· Enantiomers, diastereomers, epimers
· Absolute configuration
· Separation of enantiomers
· The Cahn-Ingold-Prelog Rules: assigning R and S configurations
· Conformation of cycloalkanes, mainly cyclohexane and substituted cyclohexanes, pentoses and hexoses

Reactivity of major classes of organic compounds
· Alkanes: oxidation and halogenation (radical mechanisms are not discussed)
· Alkyl halides: substitution (SN1/SN2) and elimination (E1/E2) reactions
· Alkenes: electrophilic addition reactions, oxidation
· Aldehydes and ketones: nucleophilic addition reactions
· Carboxylic acid derivatives: addition/elimination reactions
· Enols, enolates, and condensation reactions: base-catalysed aldol and Claisen condensation
· C-C bond forming reactions (aldol/Claisen)
· Amines: protonation, deprotonation, formation of imines, reductive amination, alkylation and acylation

Elements of biological chemistry
· Amino acids and proteins
· Synthesis of peptides: solution and solid-state synthesis using protecting groups

Spectroscopy
· Mass-spectrometry
· Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy
· Infrared spectroscopy
· 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy