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Sustainable Advanced Synthesis - CHE00057M

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  • Department: Chemistry
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Anne Routledge
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module will address synthetic challenges in advanced organic/inorganic chemistry. It will explore chemical approaches and new technology to meet these challenges. The critical role of sustainability will be emphasised and will include contemporary case studies in the field.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This module will address advanced synthetic challenges in organic/inorganic chemistry with a focus on mechanism, application and methodology. The module will provide exposure to topics such as sustainable industrial process chemistry and automated approaches in chemistry.

As part of the module students will engage with primary literature detailing the most recent research breakthroughs on a selection of the topics covered.

Module learning outcomes

The outcomes of this module are:

  • To recognise synthetic strategies used across some focused contemporary areas of organic and inorganic chemistry.
  • To analyse and interpret experimental data, design and hypotheses used in contemporary literature case studies.
  • To assess the limitations in routes to incorporating sustainability in economically viable industrial processes.
  • To evaluate the role of automation in synthesis/catalysis and it’s potential for reaction monitoring.

Module content

Advanced Organometallic Synthesis and Applications (Prof. Andrew Weller, 5 lectures)

Organometallics for C–H activation, covering the synthesis of alkane sigma complexes through to contemporary catalytic C–H activation processes (including polyethylene recycling using dehydrogenation strategies). The lectures will introduce students to how C–H activation processes occur at transition metal centres, and then demonstrate how these processes can be harnessed in reactions of alkanes in industrial processes that are also important for moving towards a circular economy: including alkane dehydrogenation, fine chemicals synthesis and plastics recycling.

Biosynthesis and Bioinspired Organic Synthesis (Dr Anne Routledge 6 lectures)

The structural diversity of organic molecules produced in nature is matched only by the range of their biological activities and applications. Nature is the ultimate sustainable chemist. The course begins with a biosynthetic overview, which then looks at the reaction pathways employed in nature to convert a few simple building blocks into a vast array of natural products. It will explore biosynthetic pathways in more detail and give cases studies of how knowledge of biosynthetic routes helps us design organic synthetic routes to biologically important target molecules.

Alternative reaction media as a step towards sustainable chemistry (TBC, 6 lectures)

This course will explore the use of sustainable solvent replacements in synthesis. Students will be introduced to the use and limitations of water as a solvent and explore other bio-based solvents in
industrially important processes. They will also explore the application of fluorous biphasic solvent systems and the use of near-critical and supercritical fluids.

Applications of F-block Elements (TBC, 6 lectures)

This course will cover the similarities and differences of the f-block elements compared to the rest of the periodic table. The course will introduce you to the origins, uses and importances of the f-block elements and why their unique properties and reactivity makes them ideal for applications in catalysis, sensors, imaging and many other fields.

Use of Automation in Catalytic Processes (Prof. Ian Fairlamb 5 lectures)

Exploring the use of automated robotic systems to aid with reaction screening and understanding catalyst activation and deactivation pathways, which is important to applied synthetic chemistry.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Sustainable Advanced Synthesis online exam		 2 hours 100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Online open book 2 hour exam consisting of 2 x 20 mark questions. To be submitted via the VLE within the 24h assessment window

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Sustainable Advanced Synthesis online exam		 2 hours 100

Module feedback

Exam results with per-question breakdown are returned to the students via supervisors within 5 weeks (as per special approval by the University Teaching Committee). Outline answers are made available via the Chemistry web pages or vle when the students receive their marks, so that they can assess their own detailed progress/achievement.

Indicative reading

Course givers will provide reading specific to each course.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.