ID:
510603
Duration (hours):
72
CFU:
6
SSD:
CHIMICA FARMACEUTICA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 19/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
-learning the basic techniques of practical organic synthesis for the obtainment of molecules of pharmaceutical interest and/or intermediates;
-learning how to perform a literature search aimed at designing a chemical synthesis;
-learning the main safety standards to be adopted in chemical laboratories for the prevention of accidents.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
As the result of completing this learning experience (i.e. course and lab training), students are expected to be able to:
-apply theoretical concepts and practical techinques in order to perform new chemical or enzymatic reactions (experiment planning, reaction set-up, reaction monitoring, reaction work-up, product downstream and purification of the target molecule, calculation of the reaction yield);
-understand and critically analyze an experimental protocol reported in literature (e.g. a chemical or an enzymatic synthesis) and perform it in the lab;
-report the experimental results obtained by drafting original protocols that are clear, complete, and reproducible;
-communicate and share ideas and information in a clear and focused way.
The organization of the students in teams during the lab training is expected to enhance the attitude towards team working in order to achieve the assigned task/the goal laid out. Through team working, students are expected to experience the importance of peer review for problem analysis and problem solving.
-learning the basic techniques of practical organic synthesis for the obtainment of molecules of pharmaceutical interest and/or intermediates;
-learning how to perform a literature search aimed at designing a chemical synthesis;
-learning the main safety standards to be adopted in chemical laboratories for the prevention of accidents.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
As the result of completing this learning experience (i.e. course and lab training), students are expected to be able to:
-apply theoretical concepts and practical techinques in order to perform new chemical or enzymatic reactions (experiment planning, reaction set-up, reaction monitoring, reaction work-up, product downstream and purification of the target molecule, calculation of the reaction yield);
-understand and critically analyze an experimental protocol reported in literature (e.g. a chemical or an enzymatic synthesis) and perform it in the lab;
-report the experimental results obtained by drafting original protocols that are clear, complete, and reproducible;
-communicate and share ideas and information in a clear and focused way.
The organization of the students in teams during the lab training is expected to enhance the attitude towards team working in order to achieve the assigned task/the goal laid out. Through team working, students are expected to experience the importance of peer review for problem analysis and problem solving.
Course Prerequisites
To attend this course, a background in general and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry is required.
Teaching Methods
Lectures and lab training. One lecture (seminar) will be given by a researcher from a API industry.
For students with specific needs, who cannot attend in person the teaching activities and who have applied for Inclusive Teaching Methods, teaching material suitable for a profitable independent study will be available. If requested, self-learning can be supported by tutoring activities of integrative teaching, and by dedicated meetings, also online, with flexible hours according to needs.
For students with specific needs, who cannot attend in person the teaching activities and who have applied for Inclusive Teaching Methods, teaching material suitable for a profitable independent study will be available. If requested, self-learning can be supported by tutoring activities of integrative teaching, and by dedicated meetings, also online, with flexible hours according to needs.
Assessment Methods
Oral exam.
MODE: students are required to organize themselves as a research team (max 3 people/team), and to analyze an experimental protocol from a paper pre-selected by the professors.
The team is required to plan the execution of the analyzed protocol by reporting in their lab notebook the procedure that they would apply in order to perform this experiment. As a general scheme, the team should report in their lab notebook the reaction, the amounts and ratios of reactants used, taking into account the reaction scale and specific preparations of the reagents (if any), the equipment, reaction monitoring, setting intermediate and final endpoints, and measuring the final output(s) (e.g. conversion, yield, downstream, analytical characterization etc.).
Students are also requested to consider how they would organize and archive the collected data (reporting) as well as the repository of the product(s) obtained.
In the pre-exam stage, each team member should analyze the protocol individually. The result of the individual analysis should be then discussed within the team (peer review). The review within the team would result in the final procedure that will be presented and discussed with the exam Committee. The team as a whole is responsible for the procedure discussed with the Committee. Each team member must have a role in the presentation/discussion with the exam Committee.
Appropriate examination methods are provided for students who fall into the categories of Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and Special Educational Needs (SEN).
EVALUATION CRITERIA: individual assessment of the contribution of each student to the analysis of the experimental protocol. The individual evaluation will be integrated with the evaluation of the overall work of the team. The exam will be passed if students achieve a grade in the 18-30 cum laude range.
A positive evaluation in the laboratory training (pass/fail and 100% attendance) is mandatory to be admitted to the final exam.
MODE: students are required to organize themselves as a research team (max 3 people/team), and to analyze an experimental protocol from a paper pre-selected by the professors.
The team is required to plan the execution of the analyzed protocol by reporting in their lab notebook the procedure that they would apply in order to perform this experiment. As a general scheme, the team should report in their lab notebook the reaction, the amounts and ratios of reactants used, taking into account the reaction scale and specific preparations of the reagents (if any), the equipment, reaction monitoring, setting intermediate and final endpoints, and measuring the final output(s) (e.g. conversion, yield, downstream, analytical characterization etc.).
Students are also requested to consider how they would organize and archive the collected data (reporting) as well as the repository of the product(s) obtained.
In the pre-exam stage, each team member should analyze the protocol individually. The result of the individual analysis should be then discussed within the team (peer review). The review within the team would result in the final procedure that will be presented and discussed with the exam Committee. The team as a whole is responsible for the procedure discussed with the Committee. Each team member must have a role in the presentation/discussion with the exam Committee.
Appropriate examination methods are provided for students who fall into the categories of Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and Special Educational Needs (SEN).
EVALUATION CRITERIA: individual assessment of the contribution of each student to the analysis of the experimental protocol. The individual evaluation will be integrated with the evaluation of the overall work of the team. The exam will be passed if students achieve a grade in the 18-30 cum laude range.
A positive evaluation in the laboratory training (pass/fail and 100% attendance) is mandatory to be admitted to the final exam.
Texts
AA.VV. “Vogel, chimica organica pratica” Casa Editrice Ambrosiana Milano
D. L. Pavia, G. M. Lampman, G. S. Kriz “Il laboratorio di chimica organica” Edizioni Sorbona Milano
K. Faber “Biotransformations in Organic Chemistry – A textbook” Springer Ed.
M.S. Robescu, D. Ubiali et al. "Stepping into the Biocatalysis Lab for Undergraduate Students: From Enzyme Immobilization to Product Isolation". Journal of Chemical Education, 2024, 101(7), pp. 2790–2795, doi: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c01254
D. L. Pavia, G. M. Lampman, G. S. Kriz “Il laboratorio di chimica organica” Edizioni Sorbona Milano
K. Faber “Biotransformations in Organic Chemistry – A textbook” Springer Ed.
M.S. Robescu, D. Ubiali et al. "Stepping into the Biocatalysis Lab for Undergraduate Students: From Enzyme Immobilization to Product Isolation". Journal of Chemical Education, 2024, 101(7), pp. 2790–2795, doi: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c01254
Contents
Lectures (3 CFU, 24 hours) and laboratory training (3 CFU, 48 hours), strictly interconnected, about basic techniques of practical organic synthesis and biocatalysis.
Laboratory training: students will directly experiment the basic methods and techniques routinely used to synthesize active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and/or intermediates.
Programme: synthesis of known small molecules (also by biocatalysis), use of separative techniques (liquid-liquid extraction, crystallization, distillation, chromatography, evaporation, filtration), use of equipments routinely found in organic/medicinal chemistry laboratories.
Students are expected to work in teams (no more than 3 students/team). Students are required to record daily the experimental activities in a personal lab notebook according to the guidelines provided during the course.
Lab training is mandatory. The attendance will be verified by roll call and tutorship tracking app.
NOTE: lectures and lab training about the use of enzymes (biocatalysis) in organic synthesis are also scheduled. Biocatalysis mostly occurs in aqueous media and under mild reaction conditions (pH, temperature, pressure), thus answering most of the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry (replacement of hazardous processes and products), and being considered as a Sustainable Chemistry.
The concept of sustainability ("meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs"), when applied to chemistry, results into a new paradigm of chemistry addressing the efficiency of the use of resources, raw materials and energy, through the design of selective reactions that produce less by-products. Biocatalysis is characterized by less waste and losses, as well as by a lower environmental and energy impact.
The contents of this course meet the goals #12, #13, #14 and #15 of the 2030 Agenda (https://asvis.it/agenda-2030/).
Laboratory training: students will directly experiment the basic methods and techniques routinely used to synthesize active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and/or intermediates.
Programme: synthesis of known small molecules (also by biocatalysis), use of separative techniques (liquid-liquid extraction, crystallization, distillation, chromatography, evaporation, filtration), use of equipments routinely found in organic/medicinal chemistry laboratories.
Students are expected to work in teams (no more than 3 students/team). Students are required to record daily the experimental activities in a personal lab notebook according to the guidelines provided during the course.
Lab training is mandatory. The attendance will be verified by roll call and tutorship tracking app.
NOTE: lectures and lab training about the use of enzymes (biocatalysis) in organic synthesis are also scheduled. Biocatalysis mostly occurs in aqueous media and under mild reaction conditions (pH, temperature, pressure), thus answering most of the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry (replacement of hazardous processes and products), and being considered as a Sustainable Chemistry.
The concept of sustainability ("meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs"), when applied to chemistry, results into a new paradigm of chemistry addressing the efficiency of the use of resources, raw materials and energy, through the design of selective reactions that produce less by-products. Biocatalysis is characterized by less waste and losses, as well as by a lower environmental and energy impact.
The contents of this course meet the goals #12, #13, #14 and #15 of the 2030 Agenda (https://asvis.it/agenda-2030/).
Course Language
Italian
More information
Slides used during lectures can be downloaded from the website Kiro. Tutorial videos about the main techniques of organic synthesis and scientific papers (both in English) discussed in the classroom as well as the data of the lab experiments are also available in Kiro. Communications/notices to the students and the Syllabus will be posted in Kiro, too.
Students are required to upload their safety certificates in a dedicated Google Drive folder according to the professors’ instructions before attending the lab training.
Students are required to upload their safety certificates in a dedicated Google Drive folder according to the professors’ instructions before attending the lab training.
Degrees
Degrees
MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY
Single-cycle Master’s Degree
5 years
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