C-C bond formation, functional group reactivity, structure, stereochemistry and selectivity. This course is open only to students enrolled in one of the Chemistry Specialist programs or the Chemistry Major program. Structure, reactions, biosynthesis, and chemical synthesis of important biomolecules based on modern concepts of organic chemistry. Advanced stereochemistry, carbohydrate structure and reactivity, amino acid and peptide synthesis, synthesis and analysis of nucleotide and phosphate esters and related drugs. The information in this course provides an essential basis for further work in organic chemistry and biological chemistry.
Organic reactions are complex, involving reactants, catalysts, and solvents.
A systematic approach to finding and applying patterns in reactions is the basis for analysis and design. Stereochemical principles permit comparison of molecules and regions within molecules while molecular mechanics provides a way to apply basic physical laws to deal with structural complexities. Applications of kinetic and thermodynamic measurements along with systematic perturbations give data that can be analyzed to provide a basis for considering the effects of structure on reactivity. Combinations of methods are used to understand the steps by which complex reactions occur and the roles of catalysts. Molecular orbital approximations provide a basis for predicting relative energies of delocalized structures and of reactions that involve electronic reorganization.