The course is aimed at providing the competences for understanding the structures, properties and reactivity of the organic compounds and biomolecules that will be frequently encountered throughout the other courses.
Course Prerequisites
A good knowledge of the basic concepts of general and inorganic chemistry is required for the course.
Teaching Methods
The lessons will include the use of PowerPoint presentations, which will be accessible to the students on the dedicated section of the KIRO platform. For students that certify that cannot attend the course in person and that have filled the request for Inclusive Teaching Methods, there will be supplementary teaching material available, suitable for independent study. If required, self-study may be supported by tutoring or supplementary teaching activities, and specific meetings (also on-line) with a flexible schedule, according to the specific needs.
Assessment Methods
The examination consists in a written test aimed at verifying the effective learning of the topics discussed during the lectures. The test includes simple exercises, multiple-choice question or scheme completion (about 10 in total), regarding the fundamentals of organic chemistry. The final evaluation is a score with maximum 30/30. Each question or exercise has a maximum score between 2 and 6 points, for a total of 30 points. During the course, the students will have access to a test facsimile as preparation to the actual examination.
Texts
Essentials of Organic Chemistry: For Students of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry and Biological Chemistry. Paul M. Dewick, Wiley. ISBN-10 0470016663
Contents
Starting from the nomenclature and representation of molecular structures, the chemistry of the main classes of organic compounds will be discussed: these include alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, aromatic compounds, aldehydes, ketones, amines, carboxylic acids and their derivatives. Their reactivity will be illustrated through the study of different reaction mechanisms (with particular attention toward stereochemistry), such as: acid-base reactions, nucleophilic substitutions, eliminations, nucleophilic reactions at carbonyl, electrophilic reactions and reactions of enolates. In this context, several examples involving the main classes of biomolecules and drugs will be discussed.
