ID:
511317
Duration (hours):
24
CFU:
3
SSD:
CHIMICA ORGANICA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 23/01/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Knowledge and understanding
Understand the fundamental concepts of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, including catalytic mechanisms, the nature of the active catalyst, and the role of catalysis in sustainable development. Acquire knowledge of key metal-catalyzed reactions (Heck, Suzuki, Negishi, olefin metathesis), which have had a major impact on the pharmaceutical industry and are still widely used for the production of APIs. Understand the main activation strategies employed in organocatalysis.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Apply theoretical knowledge to analyze catalytic cycles, evaluate catalytic efficiency parameters (TON, TOF), identify factors affecting catalyst performance (deactivation, inhibition, poisoning), and propose suitable catalytic strategies depending on the specific reaction context.
3. Making judgments
Critically assess the effectiveness, selectivity, and sustainability of catalytic processes comparing different approaches.
4. Communication skills
Effectively communicate technical and scientific concepts related to catalysis, both orally and in writing, using appropriate terminology in academic or professional contexts.
5. Learning skills
Develop autonomous learning abilities and critically engage with the scientific literature in the field of catalysis, with a view to conducting further studies, research, or professional work in chemical and pharmaceutical fields.
1. Knowledge and understanding
Understand the fundamental concepts of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, including catalytic mechanisms, the nature of the active catalyst, and the role of catalysis in sustainable development. Acquire knowledge of key metal-catalyzed reactions (Heck, Suzuki, Negishi, olefin metathesis), which have had a major impact on the pharmaceutical industry and are still widely used for the production of APIs. Understand the main activation strategies employed in organocatalysis.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Apply theoretical knowledge to analyze catalytic cycles, evaluate catalytic efficiency parameters (TON, TOF), identify factors affecting catalyst performance (deactivation, inhibition, poisoning), and propose suitable catalytic strategies depending on the specific reaction context.
3. Making judgments
Critically assess the effectiveness, selectivity, and sustainability of catalytic processes comparing different approaches.
4. Communication skills
Effectively communicate technical and scientific concepts related to catalysis, both orally and in writing, using appropriate terminology in academic or professional contexts.
5. Learning skills
Develop autonomous learning abilities and critically engage with the scientific literature in the field of catalysis, with a view to conducting further studies, research, or professional work in chemical and pharmaceutical fields.
Course Prerequisites
The course is intended for students who have already completed coursework in general chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry within a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology (CTF), Pharmacy, or related disciplines.
Recommended Background:
General and Inorganic Chemistry: fundamental concepts of acids and bases (Brønsted and Lewis), chemical bonding, molecular geometry, chemical equilibria.
Organic Chemistry: main reaction mechanisms, reactivity of nucleophiles and electrophiles, addition, elimination, and substitution reactions.
Recommended Background:
General and Inorganic Chemistry: fundamental concepts of acids and bases (Brønsted and Lewis), chemical bonding, molecular geometry, chemical equilibria.
Organic Chemistry: main reaction mechanisms, reactivity of nucleophiles and electrophiles, addition, elimination, and substitution reactions.
Teaching Methods
Lectures and guided theoretical exercises focused on reactivity.
Flipped Classroom.
Case study analysis of one or more recent literature examples involving metal catalysis or organocatalysis.
For students with specific needs who are unable to attend in-person classes and have applied for Inclusive Learning Arrangements, appropriate teaching materials will be made available to support effective independent study. Upon request, self-learning can be supported by tutoring sessions, supplementary teaching, or dedicated meetings, including online options, with flexible scheduling according to individual needs.
Flipped Classroom.
Case study analysis of one or more recent literature examples involving metal catalysis or organocatalysis.
For students with specific needs who are unable to attend in-person classes and have applied for Inclusive Learning Arrangements, appropriate teaching materials will be made available to support effective independent study. Upon request, self-learning can be supported by tutoring sessions, supplementary teaching, or dedicated meetings, including online options, with flexible scheduling according to individual needs.
Assessment Methods
Final assessment consists of an oral examination designed to verify the student's understanding of the topics covered during the course.
The exam includes 3–4 closed-prompt, open-answer questions.
The focus will be on a topic agreed upon in advance with the instructor, which the student will present during the exam.
The presentation must be concise and limited to a maximum of 10 slides.
The exam includes 3–4 closed-prompt, open-answer questions.
The focus will be on a topic agreed upon in advance with the instructor, which the student will present during the exam.
The presentation must be concise and limited to a maximum of 10 slides.
Texts
1. Instructor’s lecture notes and slides
2. Catalysis: Concepts and Green Applications, Gadi Rothenberg, Wiley-VCH, 2008
2. Catalysis: Concepts and Green Applications, Gadi Rothenberg, Wiley-VCH, 2008
Contents
Catalysis: basic concepts, significance, role in sustainable development. Catalyst and catalytic cycle. Reaction coordinate. Precursor catalyst and active catalytic species. Catalyst–substrate interaction, deactivation, inhibition, poisoning. Turnover number (TON) and turnover frequency (TOF). Homogeneous Catalysis with Metal Complexes Ligand exchange, dissociation and coordination. Oxidative addition, migratory insertion, reductive elimination. Heck, Suzuki, and Negishi reactions. Olefin metathesis and Grubbs catalysts. Homogeneous Metal-Free Catalysis. Brønsted acids and bases. Non-covalent organocatalysis (e.g., hydrogen bonding) and covalent organocatalysis (e.g., enamine formation). Introduction to asymmetric homogeneous catalysis. Catalyst recovery and recycling. Click chemistry in homogeneous catalysis. Heterogeneous Catalysis. Concept of active site. Organic, inorganic, and hybrid solid supports. Support selection, specific surface area, substrate accessibility, catalyst stability.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Lecture slides and all teaching materials used during the course will be made available to students.
Additional resources, including video recordings, will be provided to working students or those in equivalent certified situations.
Additional resources, including video recordings, will be provided to working students or those in equivalent certified situations.
Degrees
Degrees (2)
MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY
Single-cycle Master’s Degree
5 years
PHARMACY
Single-cycle Master’s Degree
5 years
No Results Found
People
People
Personale tecnico amministrativo
No Results Found