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SL52135: Synthesis of medicinal compounds

[Page last updated: 15 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: EXOB 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Exam (EXOB 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: Outline the reagents, conditions and reaction mechanisms of key reactions used in the pharmaceutical industry; Analyse and solve problems relating to the multi-step synthesis of small organic molecules; Evaluate and propose synthetic routes to small-molecule drug targets; Design and propose synthetic routes to rational analogues of given lead compounds; Discuss modern synthetic strategies and techniques; Assess the efficiency and sustainability of given synthetic routes.


Synopsis: This unit will cover key reactions and approaches towards the synthesis and functionalisation of small molecular drugs. You will study the applications and mechanistic aspects of the most widely used reactions in the pharmaceutical industry will be discussed. You will explore case-studies from the primary literature to see the reactions in a wider context.

Content: This unit will include the following topics: key reactions used in medicinal chemistry; cross-coupling reactions; reactions for the synthesis and functionalisation of heterocycles; strategies for asymmetric synthesis; case studies on drug synthesis.

Course availability:

SL52135 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Life Sciences

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
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