Department of Chemistry course timetable

ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (AO)

(AO1) MOs in Chemical Reactions (4L)

The lectures will describe how the sense and degree of stereospecificity in several fundamental chemical reactions – substitution, elimination and addition – and the sense and degree of stereoselectivity in others – nucleophilic and electrophilic attack on double bonds with diastereotopic surfaces – can be explained by considering the molecular orbitals involved.

This is the first (Part A) of a two part course which introduces postgraduates to the Department of Chemistry Library and its place within the wider Cambridge University Library system. It is useful not only for newcomers to Cambridge but also for Cambridge graduates who may not previously have made full use of all facilities. It provides general information on what is available, where it is and how to get it. Print and electronic resources are included. It is necessary to attend both Parts A and B in order to qualify for transferable skills credit.

This is the second (Part B) of a two part course which introduces postgraduates to the Department of Chemistry Library and its place within the wider Cambridge University Library system. It is useful not only for newcomers to Cambridge but also for Cambridge graduates who may not previously have made full use of all facilities. It provides general information on what is available, where it is and how to get it. Print and electronic resources are included. It is necessary to attend both Parts A and B in order to qualify for transferable skills credit.

CHARACTERISATION TECHNIQUES (CT)

(CT2) Solid State NMR (2L+1W)

The aim of this part of the course is to provide an idea of what kind of scientific problems can be solved by solid state NMR. It will cover how NMR can be used to study atomic-level structure in the solid state, including heterogeneous solids, such as polymers, MOFs and biological materials. No previous knowledge of SSNMR will be required, just a basic working knowledge of solution-state NMR for 1H and 13C, i.e. undergrad level NMR and these lectures should be appropriate for a range of backgrounds.

ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (AO)

(AO2) Oxidation and Reduction (4L)

Reduction and oxidation reactions can often be key to the success or failure of a synthetic approach. The four lectures of this course will aim to provide an overview of the different classes of oxidising and reducing agents available to the modern synthetic chemist, the mechanisms by which they act and therefore how we can tune their reactivity to allow for selectivity.

ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (AO)

(AO2) Oxidation and Reduction (4L)

Reduction and oxidation reactions can often be key to the success or failure of a synthetic approach. The four lectures of this course will aim to provide an overview of the different classes of oxidising and reducing agents available to the modern synthetic chemist, the mechanisms by which they act and therefore how we can tune their reactivity to allow for selectivity.

CHARACTERISATION TECHNIQUES (CT)

(CT2) Solid State NMR (2L+1W)

The aim of this part of the course is to provide an idea of what kind of scientific problems can be solved by solid state NMR. It will cover how NMR can be used to study atomic-level structure in the solid state, including heterogeneous solids, such as polymers, MOFs and biological materials. No previous knowledge of SSNMR will be required, just a basic working knowledge of solution-state NMR for 1H and 13C, i.e. undergrad level NMR and these lectures should be appropriate for a range of backgrounds.

ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (AO)

(AO2) Oxidation and Reduction (4L)

Reduction and oxidation reactions can often be key to the success or failure of a synthetic approach. The four lectures of this course will aim to provide an overview of the different classes of oxidising and reducing agents available to the modern synthetic chemist, the mechanisms by which they act and therefore how we can tune their reactivity to allow for selectivity.

CHARACTERISATION TECHNIQUES (CT)

(CT3) Solid State NMR Investigations of Rechargeable Batteries (1L)

Research on materials for rechargeable batteries (and supercapacitors) using solid state NMR spectroscopy will be discussed. Various techniques in solid state NMR will be described and examples will be given for their application in this field of research. These include NMR of paramagnetic systems, in-situ NMR of operating battery cells and studies of the interface in batteries and supercapacitors.

ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (AO)

(AO3) Advanced Enolate Chemistry (4L)

The carbonyl functional group remains amongst the most flexible of synthetic handles to the organic chemist. Tautomerisation to enols or enolates facilitates the highly regio-, diastereo- and enantioselective formation of carbon-carbon bonds in both simple and complex molecules alike. This lecture course will cover the controlled generation of enolates, detailed stereochemical models for the observed diastereoselectivity in reactions and the application of enolate chemistry in total synthesis.

ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (AO)

(AO3) Advanced Enolate Chemistry (4L)

The carbonyl functional group remains amongst the most flexible of synthetic handles to the organic chemist. Tautomerisation to enols or enolates facilitates the highly regio-, diastereo- and enantioselective formation of carbon-carbon bonds in both simple and complex molecules alike. This lecture course will cover the controlled generation of enolates, detailed stereochemical models for the observed diastereoselectivity in reactions and the application of enolate chemistry in total synthesis.

CHARACTERISATION TECHNIQUES (CT)

(CT4) X-Ray Crystallography, Electron Diffraction, Microscopy and Analysis (5L)

Lectures 1-3 (Steve Driver) aim to introduce the basics of crystallography and diffraction, assuming no prior knowledge. Topics include: the reciprocal lattice and its relevance to diffraction; how the structure factor accounts for phases; and how Fourier transforms link diffracted amplitude with crystal structure. These ideas lay the groundwork for Lectures 4-5 (David Jefferson), where specific methods in X-ray and electron diffraction are discussed in detail.

ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (AO)

(AO3) Advanced Enolate Chemistry (4L)

The carbonyl functional group remains amongst the most flexible of synthetic handles to the organic chemist. Tautomerisation to enols or enolates facilitates the highly regio-, diastereo- and enantioselective formation of carbon-carbon bonds in both simple and complex molecules alike. This lecture course will cover the controlled generation of enolates, detailed stereochemical models for the observed diastereoselectivity in reactions and the application of enolate chemistry in total synthesis.

CHARACTERISATION TECHNIQUES (CT)

(CT4) X-Ray Crystallography, Electron Diffraction, Microscopy and Analysis (5L)

Lectures 1-3 (Steve Driver) aim to introduce the basics of crystallography and diffraction, assuming no prior knowledge. Topics include: the reciprocal lattice and its relevance to diffraction; how the structure factor accounts for phases; and how Fourier transforms link diffracted amplitude with crystal structure. These ideas lay the groundwork for Lectures 4-5 (David Jefferson), where specific methods in X-ray and electron diffraction are discussed in detail.

This interactive and intensive one-day course, based on the programme developed by Vitae, is intended for PhD students in their first year. You will look at practical ways to increase your effectiveness and meet the challenges of your PhD. The programme covers:

• Looking at your PhD as a project
• Working with other people
• Managing your relationship with your supervisor

ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (AO)

(AO3) Advanced Enolate Chemistry (4L)

The carbonyl functional group remains amongst the most flexible of synthetic handles to the organic chemist. Tautomerisation to enols or enolates facilitates the highly regio-, diastereo- and enantioselective formation of carbon-carbon bonds in both simple and complex molecules alike. This lecture course will cover the controlled generation of enolates, detailed stereochemical models for the observed diastereoselectivity in reactions and the application of enolate chemistry in total synthesis.

CHARACTERISATION TECHNIQUES (CT)

(CT4) X-Ray Crystallography, Electron Diffraction, Microscopy and Analysis (5L)

Lectures 1-3 (Steve Driver) aim to introduce the basics of crystallography and diffraction, assuming no prior knowledge. Topics include: the reciprocal lattice and its relevance to diffraction; how the structure factor accounts for phases; and how Fourier transforms link diffracted amplitude with crystal structure. These ideas lay the groundwork for Lectures 4-5 (David Jefferson), where specific methods in X-ray and electron diffraction are discussed in detail.

ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (AO)

(AO4) Advanced Heterocyclic Chemistry (5L)

This course will build upon the classic methods of heterocyclic synthesis taught at the undergraduate level. It will begin with a more conceptual focus and discuss why new routes to heterocycles are required and factors that often contribute to a 'good' synthesis such as modularity, versatility and functional group tolerance and also whether to install substituents pre or post-formation of the heterocycle. It will then move onto focus on more modern routes to monocyclic systems, particularly those involving transition metal catalysis and then finally onto more modern routes towards bicyclic systems.

CHARACTERISATION TECHNIQUES (CT)

(CT4) X-Ray Crystallography, Electron Diffraction, Microscopy and Analysis (5L)

Lectures 1-3 (Steve Driver) aim to introduce the basics of crystallography and diffraction, assuming no prior knowledge. Topics include: the reciprocal lattice and its relevance to diffraction; how the structure factor accounts for phases; and how Fourier transforms link diffracted amplitude with crystal structure. These ideas lay the groundwork for Lectures 4-5 (David Jefferson), where specific methods in X-ray and electron diffraction are discussed in detail.

ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (AO)

(AO4) Advanced Heterocyclic Chemistry (5L)

This course will build upon the classic methods of heterocyclic synthesis taught at the undergraduate level. It will begin with a more conceptual focus and discuss why new routes to heterocycles are required and factors that often contribute to a 'good' synthesis such as modularity, versatility and functional group tolerance and also whether to install substituents pre or post-formation of the heterocycle. It will then move onto focus on more modern routes to monocyclic systems, particularly those involving transition metal catalysis and then finally onto more modern routes towards bicyclic systems.