ORC-20306 Organic Chemistry

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Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

ORC-12803 Bio-organic Chemistry; ORC-12903 Bio-organic Chemistry II; ORC-11806 Analytical Methods in Organic Chemistry

Contents:

The Organic Chemistry of biomolecules is the central topic of this chemistry course. The lectures and tutorials are given on an advanced level in order to give the students a good insight into the (3D) structure and reactivity of biomolecules. Topics that will be discussed are conformations, chemistry and synthesis of carbohydrates, amino acids, peptides, nucleotides and DNA/RNA, chemistry and biosynthesis of lipids, reaction mechanisms of enzymatic reactions, co-enzymes and vitamins. The chemistry and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites is also discussed, since they play an important role in food-related biotechnology processes. Special emphasis is placed on the reactions in both nature and the laboratory of life's four major classes of biomolecules; nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry are the central topics in all the lectures given. The practical part of the course introduces the student to many practical aspects that play an important role in performing organic chemical experiments. Central in this practical course are the independent execution of several organic chemistry experiments that are based on important reactions like substitution, addition, elimination, condensation, reduction, electrophilic substitution and involve various classes of compounds among which biomolecules discussed in the lectures. The theoretical preparation includes a literature search for background information, reaction mechanisms and safety aspects. Learning the principles behind the equipment that is used for performing reactions and purifying and analyzing the products also plays an important role. A critical and concise report has to be made of all performed experiments in which the detailed reaction mechanism, safety aspects, followed procedure, yield, analysis, purity determination have to be discussed.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- explain the structure and reactivity of biomolecules and the functional groups present therein;
- apply this on the organic chemistry of biomolecules;
- set up and perform organic chemistry experiments in a safe and independent way;
- prepare a critical and concise reports of the experiments in which the relation between theory and practice is adequately described.

Activities:

The student attends the lectures, studies the reader and the book and makes training exercises during the tutorials. In the practical course the student has to individually prepare and safely perform organic chemistry experiments, purify and analyze the obtained products and write reports of the experimental results.

Examination:

For the lecture part there is an exam with open questions. The mark for the practical course is determined from the performance during the practical and the quality of the reports.

Literature:

Reader and textbook 'Organic Chemistry, Seventh edition' by John McMurry (ISBN 0-495-11628-9) are available at the WUR-shop.