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Organic Chemistry II
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:37:51
Abstract
This course builds on the material learned in Organic Chemistry I or Organic Chemistry II for Biology/Pharmacy Students. Topics include advanced concepts and mechanisms of organic reactions and introductions to pericyclic and organometallic reactions. The basics or retro- and forward synthesis are also introduced.
Objective
Goals of this course include a deeper understanding of basic organic reactions and mechanisms as well as advanced transformations. Reactive intermediates including carbenes and nitrenes are covered, along with methods for their generation and use in complex molecule synthesis. Frontier molecular orbital theory (FMO) is introduced and used to rationalize pericyclic reactions including Diels Alder reactions, cycloadditions, and rearrangements (Cope, Claisen). The basic concepts and key reactions of catalytic organometallic chemistry, which are key methods in modern organic synthesis, are introduced, with an emphasis on their catalytic cycles and elementary steps. All of these topics are combined in an overview of strategies for complex molecule synthesis, with specific examples from natural product derived molecules used as medicines.
Content
Redox neutral reactions and rearrangements, advanced transformations of functional groups and reaction mechanisms, carbenes and nitrenes, frontier molecular orbital theory (FMO), cycloadditions and pericyclic reactions, introduction to organometallic chemistry and catalytic cross couplings, protecting groups, retrosynthetic analysis of complex organic molecules, planning and execution of multi-step reactions.
Resources
Lecture Notes
The lecture notes and additional documents including problem sets are available as PDF files online, without charge. Link:https://morandi.ethz.ch/education.html
Literature
Clayden, Greeves, and Warren. Organic Chemistry, 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press, 2012.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 120 minutes
- Aids
- Keine.
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Organic Chemistry II |
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise |
Organic Chemistry II
Groups are selected in myStudies.
Die Übungsgruppen können nach der ersten Vorlesung belegt werden
|
|
1 h weekly |
Offered In
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Electives (The Bachelor's programme in Interdisciplinary Sciences allows students to choose from any subject taught at a Bachelor's level at ETH Zurich. In consultation with the Director of Studies of Interdisciplinary Sciences, every student must establish his/her own individual study programme at the beginning of the 2nd year. See the Programme Regulations 2018 for further details.)
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