This course will provide students with a well-rounded, integrated background in chemistry at the second year level covering key concepts in chemistry with a particular emphasis on the structure and function of molecules. The course is divided into three components: organic chemistry (~40%), physical chemistry (~20%) and inorganic chemistry (~40%).

 

The organic chemistry component will focus on an in-depth analysis of several types of organic reactions from a mechanistic and stereochemical viewpoint with particular reference to natural products and the synthesis of compounds of biological and commercial importance. The physical chemistry component will focus on understanding the rates of reactions, and the contribution of enthalpy and entropy to reaction favourability. The inorganic chemistry component focuses con coordination complexes and their stability, bonding, properties and reactivity, as well as their importance in biological systems. The laboratory component focuses on key laboratory techniques in synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry and their applications in separation, synthesis, and analysis of organic and coordination compounds.

Honours pathway option (HPO):

Entry to this option is subject to the approval of the course convener. Students who take this option will undertake 6-8 lectures at a more advanced level in place of 6-8 hours of tutorials/lab. All students in the PhB (Hons) or direct entry Honours degree programs enrolled in this course are encouraged to complete the HPO.

Proposed Assessment Honours Pathway Option: The standard course will count 90% towards the final grade and the HPO 10%.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Assign configurations to relevant stereochemical elements in molecular structures and predict stereochemical outcomes in organic reactions.
2. Provide mechanistic rationalisations for both substitution and elimination reactions in organic chemistry.
3. Understand kinetic models for multi-step chemical and biochemical reactions based on fast equilibrium and steady-state approximations.
4. Correlate reaction rates, equilibrium constants and reaction favourability with thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy, enthalpy and entropy.
5. Explain and rationalise the structures, stabilities and properties of coordination compounds in terms of factors related to the metal, ligand and metal–ligand bond.
6. Provide mechanistic rationalisations for reactions of coordination complexes, including biological coordination complexes.
7. Write concise scientific reports, critically analyse scientific data and elucidate structures of compounds using spectral analyses.
8. Work to a professional level of skills in a chemical laboratory demonstrating effective laboratory safety and etiquette, especially in the areas of handling of chemicals and usage of lab-based glassware and equipment.