Chemistry 501: Graduate Organic Reactions

General Information

Mechanistic and Synthetic Organic Chemistry: Fundamental concepts for organic chemistry structure, reactivity, reactions and reaction mechanisms.

Time: M, W, F, 8-8:50 AM
Place: NSC Rm. 218
Total Classes: 32

Instructors

Part I. Richard Cheng

e-mail: rcheng2@buffalo.edu
office hours: TBA, NSC Rm.515
phone: 645-6800 ext. 2158

Part II. Sherry Chemler

e-mail: schemler@buffalo.edu office hours: TBA NSC Rm. 618
phone: 645-6800 ext. 2136

Textbooks

Advanced Organic Chemistry, Parts A and B (required) by Carey & Sundberg
Advanced Organic Chemistry (optional) by March
Mechanism and Theory in Organic Chemistry (optional) by Lowry & Richardson
Transition Metals in the Synthesis of Complex Organic Molecules (optional) by Hegedus
Organic Chemistry Lecture Notes (optional, available from Scripps) by Boger

If not in the bookstore, check out Amazon.com

Computational Aids

Everyone should learn how to use Beilstein, SciFinder and the Science Citation Index. Get familiar with electronic journals. Use the library's website.

Grading and Assignments

First Test (20%), Midterm (25%), Second test (20%) and Final (comprehensive, 25%) and Final report (10%).

Homework problems (assigned weekly) will be discussed during Final Report: see attachment.

Topics Covered

Part I (Richard Cheng) - 16 lectures

Conformational Analysis
Stereochemistry
Acid/Base (Pka)
Isotope Effects
Aromatic Substitution
SN2/SN1/E1/E2
Solvent Effects
Orbital Alignment/Grobe Fragmentation

Part II (Sherry Chemler) - 16 lectures

Reductions/Oxidations (2 lectures)
Carbonyl Additions: Stereochemistry, Catalysis, Aldol, Allylation, Glycosylation (4 lectures)
Olefin Additions, Elimination Reactions: Allylic Strain, Hydroboration (2 lectures)
Cross-Coupling Reactions, transition metal catalysis (2 lectures)
Pericyclic Reactions (1 lecture)
Sigmatropic Rearrangements (1 lectures)
Diels-Alder Reactions (2 lectures)
Free Radical Reactions (1 lecture)
Photochemical Reactions (1 lecture)

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