Organic Chemistry II - Honors

Catalog description

Continuation of CHEM 210 (H). Emphasis is on the chemistry of carbonyl compounds, spectroscopic analysis and pericyclic reactions. CHEM 212H Organic Chemistry II - Honors (3) CHEM 212H is the second semester of a comprehensive year-long treatment of introductory organic chemistry at an advanced level. CHEM 210H is recommended but not required. This honors course focuses more on depth than breadth, and will delve into some of the more modern approaches/theories to key topics. Most of the material derives from the chemistry of carbonyl compounds. The classic topics -- carbonyls as as electrophiles and as nucleophile (enolate) precursors -- will be covered. In addition, discussions of stereochemical selectivity issues will provide the framework to introduce contemporary concepts of stereoelectronic and steric effects into these topics. For example, Cram, Felkin-Ahn and chelation-based models for stereoselective addition of nucleophiles to aldehydes/ketones will be developed, as will chiral auxiliary chemistry for stereoselective enolate addition reactions. In addition to carbonyl chemistry, an introduction to spectroscopic techniques for compound characterization will be included. These techniques include mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Finally, a survey of pericyclic reactions, along with the molecular orbital (stereoelectronic) underpinnings of chemical selectivity observed in these processes, will be pursued. Class grades will be based on 5 exams, 5 (out of 6) homework assignments, and a final exam.