CM4274 - THE ART & METHODOLOGY IN TOTAL SYNTHESIS

Module Overview: ​Total synthesis of natural products, diels alder, cross coupling, aldol reaction, radical cyclization, oxidation and reduction, chiral auxiliaries, diastereoselectivity and stereoselectivity 

Overall Difficulty: Average

Difficulty of Assessment:

Quiz 1: Easy 

Quiz 2 (Mid-Terms):  Average 

Project (Presentation): Average 

Project (Report): Average 

Final Exam: Easy 

Pace of Module: Just Nice

Enjoyability: 5/5

Usefulness: 5/5

Workload of Module (Average Number of hours spent per week):

To learn the content: 2 hours

To complete assignments: 2 hours

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How did you find the contents (how it was delivered) and the assessments of the module?

Lectures generally involve going through total syntheses of molecules in literature, about 1-2 lectures for each synthesis. For each molecule Dr Hoang will also pick 1-2 particularly important reactions and/or mechanisms and go into them in more detail. Attendance is not compulsory, and lectures are webcast. Quizzes were generally not too difficult, class median was above 90% for both quizzes. Dr Hoang is very reasonable in setting and grading them. There is ample opportunity for you to practice and clarify any doubts with Dr Hoang so don't be scared! Presentations are 45 minutes with Q&A afterwards, done in pairs. Each pair finds a total synthesis of a molecule from literature and presents it to the class. Presenters need to pick one reaction from the synthesis they are presenting and go into more detail (mechanism, examples, selectivity, etc) - similar to how Dr Hoang conducts each lecture. Dr Hoang is a very friendly, approachable and knowledgeable lecturer who has a lot of experience to share with students. 

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How was your experience with the module?

Definitely a must take if you intend in pursuing graduate studies in organic chemistry in the future. You will learn a lot about modern organic chemistry here that other modules won't teach you!