CVB301 Organic Chemistry: Strategies for Synthesis
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CVB301 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | (CVB101 and CVB102 and CVB204) or (CVB204 and admission to ST20) |
| Equivalent(s): | PQB531 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $5,364 |
| International unit fee | $6,840 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | CVB301 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | (CVB101 and CVB102 and CVB204) or (CVB204 and admission to ST20) |
Overview
Learn skills in the synthesis of organic molecules and an analysis of the nature of the reaction mixtures and products generated. Apply the principles of synthetic design, using their knowledge of a range of synthetically useful organic reactions and the concept of retrosynthesis. You will learn to evaluate experimental data qualitatively and quantitatively, especially with regard to IR and NMR spectroscopic data, and use this knowledge to deduce and explain conclusions based on logical arguments. You will be able to use creative design strategies to overcome common synthetic organic problems by applying the principles of protecting group strategies and selectivity in organic synthesis. The application of practical skills in safe laboratory practice relating to the principles of synthesis, isolation and purification of organic compounds will allow you to demonstrate their capabilities as well as develop skills to document their findings in an appropriate work orientated format.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse the synthesis of organic molecules and propose a synthetic pathway using retrosynthesis and synthetic organic reactions
- Draw conclusions and present well-articulated, evidence-based arguments from an evaluation of IR and NMR spectroscopic experimental data.
- Creatively design strategies to overcome synthetic organic problems.
- Apply practical skills and safe laboratory practice to synthesise, isolate and purify organic compounds
- Communicate experiment findings to specialist audiences using industry standard written formats
Content
This unit will commence building on the foundation of organic chemistry laid in CVB204. The understanding gained from mechanisms in CVB204 will then be applied to help you gain a greater appreciation for topics, such as advanced synthetic reactions and advanced chemical systems such as heterocycle synthesis and carbon-carbon bond forming reactions. Application of organic chemistry fundamentals will also be applied to investigating the synthesis and understanding how various biomolecules function.
Material covered will include but is not limited to
- Introduction to modern concepts in organic synthesis
- Discussion of heterocyclic and heteroaromatic chemistry
- Forward and retrosynthetic analysis of reaction mechanisms, with particular focus on carbon-carbon bond forming reactions, enolate chemistry, metal catalysed coupling reactions, and protecting groups strategies
- The synthesis and applications of biomolecules.
Learning Approaches
Class contact in this unit will involve a combination of traditional lectures and less formal interactive lecture/tutorials, and a sequential laboratory experiment.
Lectures/tutorials (26 hours, 2 hours per week)
One hour of lecture time is devoted to advice on the preparation of reports on practical work.
Practical work (24 hours, 6 x 4 hour sessions)
This consists of one large experiment - a multi-step synthesis involving a protecting group. Staff of the QUT Library will present a workshop on information retrieval in organic chemistry during the first practical session.
Workshops (10 hours, 5 x 2 hours)
These interactive sessions will allow a deeper exploration or revision of selected topics from the lecture program or the techniques used in the practical exercise. One will specifically cover NMR spectroscopy in more detail, to support the depth of understanding needed in the practical component of this unit.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Formative feedback will be provided during the semester. There are multiple opportunities to receive feedback on your learning in this unit. Whole-of-class and individual feedback will be provided during laboratories by demonstrators. Feedback on summative assessment tasks will be provided by annotated report with rubric, which includes specific written comments.
Assessment
Overview
The assessment in this unit comprises both formative and summative elements. Formative assessment will take the form of provision of model answers for summative tasks, practice problems with worked solutions, regular feedback on your practical workbook, and interactive discussions with your laboratory demonstrators. Summative assessment is a combination of problem-solving tasks, final submission of the laboratory workbook, and a supervised written theory examination.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
This assignment is comprised of a series of individualised problems involving the proposal of synthetic routes to target molecules from nominated starting materials and the proposal of a synthetic scheme starting from an individually assigned nominated starting substance.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Workbook
You will be required to undertake 1 hr introduction/safety briefing filled by 6 X 4-hour sessions of supervised practical work for which you will maintain a laboratory workbook which documents the reaction being performed (including description of the mechanism), description of the synthetic procedure and workup (including flow diagram showing how the workup procedure is used to isolate and purify organic compounds), and an analysis of the spectroscopic data used to characterise your compounds. All of these results and analysis of spectral data supplied will be summarised in a final laboratory report.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Theory Exam
The end of semester theory exam will cover content from theory components of the unit. You will be expected to solve problems on reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, carbohydrate chemistry and biosynthesis. The retrosynthetic analysis will not be assessed in this exam.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Costs
There are no out of the ordinary costs associated with studying this unit.
Resources
Resources to support your learning in this unit will be available in your Canvas unit site. The unit makes use of two recommended textbooks and molecular models that can be purchased with the textbook.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Bruice PY (2007) Organic Chemistry, 5th edition, Pearson Education.
Molecular Models may be purchased in a package with the textbook by Bruice.
Resource books containing useful information and tutorial exercises will be provided, together with details of recommended websites.
Zubrick TW (2009) The Organic Chem Lab Survival Manual, 8th Edition, John Wiley & Sons
Risk Assessment Statement
The professional practice of Chemistry requires the safe handling of Hazardous Substances. A practical laboratory program is an important part of this unit, so you will be required to handle such substances. The chemicals and procedures used in this unit are deemed to be appropriate for students at this level of the course. You will undertake compulsory formal pre-laboratory assessment in Health and Safety matters relevant to the laboratory and QUT buildings in general. Health and Safety information and precautions relevant to the particular experiments are clearly explained in the Practical Manual. Having been provided with this advice, it is your responsibility to comply with all instructions, for the safety of yourself, your fellow students and staff.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST01 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, Problem Solving Task, Theory Exam - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Workbook, Theory Exam - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Problem Solving Task, Workbook, Theory Exam - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: ULO4, Workbook - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO5, Workbook
SV02 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, Problem Solving Task, Theory Exam - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Problem Solving Task, Workbook, Theory Exam - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Problem Solving Task, Workbook, Theory Exam - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: ULO4, Workbook - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO5, Workbook