Syllabus

Course Meeting Times

Lectures: 3 sessions / week, 1 hour / session

Description

This course deals with the application of structure and theory to the study of organic reaction mechanisms: stereochemical features including conformation and stereoelectronic effects; reaction dynamics, isotope effects and molecular orbital theory applied to pericyclic and photochemical reactions; and special reactive intermediates including carbenes, carbanions, and free radicals.

Prerequisites

5.13 (Organic Chemistry II)

Textbooks

Carey, F. A., and R. J. Sundberg. Advanced Organic Chemistry, Part A: Structure and Mechanisms. 4th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2000. ISBN: 9780306462429.

Joule, J. A., and K. Mills. Heterocyclic Chemistry. 4th ed. Malden, MA: Blackwell Science, 2000. ISBN: 9780632054534.

Problem Sets

There will be eight problem sets, to be handed in.

Exams

There will be three exams worth 100 points each given during the term and a cumulative final exam worth 200 points given during final exam period.

Grading

The grade for the course will be calculated based on the values given below.

Calendar

The calendar below provides information on the course's lecture (L) and exam (E) sessions.