Students will learn key concepts about the synthesis and reactivity of multiple carbon-carbon bonds in alkenes, alkynes and aromatic molecules.

Regarding alkene chemistry, various routes for the synthesis of alkenes will be covered and the reactivity of alkenes towards electrophilic addition, radical reactions and pericyclic reactions will be examined. The module will also cover nucleophilic attack of 1,3-unsaturated carbonyls and describes the chemistry of alkynes.

Regarding aromatic chemistry, the course will first lay the theoretical foundations required to describe what an aromatic system is, before covering both electrophilic and nucleophilic aromatic substitutions reactions.

The module is taught through lectures, workshops and practical lab sessions to exemplify taught reactions. Students will gain knowledge, skills and understanding of the chemistry of alkene and aromatic compounds. Additionally, the module teaches students to work safely and competently in a laboratory, keeping an orderly record of accurate experimental observations and the presentation of reports drawn from evidence-based conclusions.

This module is designed to give the student a basic understanding of electrochemical processes, from both a thermodynamic and kinetic perspective, as well as in applied experimental research.

Electrochemistry is often considered to be a discipline at the interface of the branches of chemistry and other sciences. Principally defined as the study of the movement of charge, the extension of electrochemistry into all aspects of chemistry is evident including: biology, biochemistry, physics, and engineering. It is a core physical chemistry subject that also provides access to the fundamental thermodynamic and kinetic properties of chemical processes.

The students will learn the governing process in equilibrium (thermodynamic) and electrolytic (kinetic) electrochemical cells. Practical methods of analysis will be developed as well as approaches to interpret chemical reactions, and insight into to catalytic processes. Finally, the students will explore the basics of electroanalysis, electrosynthesis and electrochemical power conversion and storage.

Advanced Coordination Chemistry looks at metals in solution, including the chemistry of metal ions in solution, the general description of solvation of ions and the description of inner sphere and outer sphere coordination and solvent changes. Students will be introduced to metal clusters, borane and related cages and clusters. The module provides an introduction to coordination equilibria and solution equilibria, the use of formation constants, rates of exchange and factors affecting rates of exchange. The module also examines coordination and reaction chemistry of the 2nd and 3rd row transition metals, looking at selected examples of oxides and halides and trends in stability of oxidation states for important representative examples.

By the end of the module, students will be familiarised with the solution behaviour of metal ions, and the behaviour of ions in solution, trends in, and examples of, 2nd and 3rd row transition metal chemistry and metal-metal bonding. The module will improve students’ skills in practical chemistry, spectroscopic interpretation, report writing and problem solving.

The first part of this module focuses on conformational analysis of chains and rings, with a particular focus on conformations of acyclic and cyclic hydrocarbons, and the conformations and reactivity of substituted cyclohexanes. Conformations and reactivity of cyclohexene, cyclohexanone, strained and bridgehead-containing rings will also be explored. Students will then concentrate on the application of spectroscopic methods in organic structure determination. The importance of geminal, vicinal and long range coupling in 1H NMR will be assessed, as will the uses of Nuclear Overhauser effect. 2D NMR in structure elucidation will be examined as well.

Students will gain knowledge, understanding and skills in the conformational analysis and structural determination of organic molecules. Additionally, they will improve their skills in problem solving and analysing and interpreting data.

Students will gain knowledge and understanding of organometallics of the s/p block metals. The module offers an introduction to organotransition metal chemistry, commonly encountered ligands and their classification: X/L notation and hapticity. The synthesis, structure and bonding, and reactivity of metal carbonyls and phosphine ligands will be studied. Key reaction types and mechanisms will be examined as part of the module. Students will also receive an introduction to catalytic processes involving transition metal intermediates to offer an understanding of how reaction types operate within the mechanisms of catalytic cycles.

By the end of the module, students will have an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of organometallic chemistry and will be introduced to the structures, bonding, synthesis and properties of a representative range of organotransition metal complexes. Additionally, Ligand substitution, oxidative-addition, reductive-elimination, migratory insertion, beta-H elimination and nucleophilic attack on coordinated ligands are introduced as key reaction types in organometallic chemistry.

The aim of this module is to introduce the principles and techniques of theoretical, or quantum, chemistry and the fundamental mathematical techniques that underpin it. Quantum mechanics, symmetry and group theory are included in the module. There is an introduction to chemical phenomena that cannot be explained through the use of classical mechanics. Quantisation will be introduced as naturally arising from bound (confined) systems, and the Schrodinger equation is also explored.

The module will, alongside the chemistry content, introduce the mathematical techniques required to understand and appreciate solutions to the Schrodinger equation. Specifically, it will introduce the quantisation of matter, the Schrodinger equation, various Hamiltonians representing different physical models, including the Coulombic molecular Hamiltonian. It will also provide an introduction to the mathematical and computational techniques required to solve the complex mathematical problems that arise in theoretical chemistry. Alongside this, symmetry and its fundamental importance in understanding molecular orbital theory, interpreting spectroscopic observations and the shapes of molecules will also be introduced.

This module describes the properties and behaviours of solids such as metals, salts and crystalline molecular compounds and soft matter, including polymers and their surfaces. In particular, relationships between structure, property and material behaviour will be scrutinised. Characterisation techniques will be examined including: X-ray crystallography, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DCS). Applications of hard and soft surfaces in catalysis and gas storage will be highlighted. The use of X-ray crystallography as a characterisation tool will be explored and the chemical and mathematical concepts behind this technique introduced.

By the end of the module, students will have developed their problem solving and data analysis skills and be able to present results and findings in a clear and concise manner.

This module describes strategies for and approaches to the synthesis of organic molecules in a controlled manner. The importance, formation methods and various uses of enols, enolates and enolate equivalents in synthesis are all introduced.

This module will also explore how molecules’ conformations affect their reactivity. For this, the course will cover the chemistry of cyclic hydrocarbons detailing their conformational preferences (3D shape) and how this affects their reactivity towards chemical reactions, with a particular focus on SN2 and E2 reactions.

By the end of the module, students will understand the versatility of enolate chemistry in organic synthesis and the application of enolate and other chemical methods in retrosynthetic analysis as a way of devising syntheses of complex organic structures. Students will also improve their skills in problem-solving, consolidating information, core practical techniques, analysis of data and the presentation of reports.

This module discusses the underlying physical principles that govern spectroscopic techniques that compliment an in depth knowledge of techniques crucial to all areas of chemistry. Students will also be introduced to practical techniques for the recording and interpretation of spectra. The module includes topics such as the electromagnetic spectrum, atomic spectroscopy and x-ray based spectroscopic techniques. Students will also explore nuclear magnetic resonance, luminescence and spectroscopic imaging.

Additionally, the module offers practical sessions based around NMR, UV/Vis, IR and Fluorescence, and workshops that will connect the theory to the practical interpretation of spectra. The Physical Principles of Spectroscopy aims to consolidate students’ knowledge of spectroscopic methods and expand skills to rationalisation of observed spectra in terms of the underlying chemical and physical properties of molecules and techniques.

Students will gain an in depth knowledge surrounding thermodynamics, covering a variety of topics including ideal gas laws; internal energy, including heat and work, and the Carnot cycle. The module then progresses to exploring enthalpy, heat capacity and entropy. Free energies and chemical potential, along with microstates, partition function, molecular interactions and molecular simulation are investigated as part of the module.

The module aims to develop a critical understanding of chemical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, focusing on concepts and their application in understanding chemical driving forces and stability. Problem solving skills and mathematical ability will be improved, and through theoretical lectures and practical sessions, students will also improve their laboratory and written communication skills.

What next after your degree? What kind of work will you enjoy and find fulfilling? What available careers are there which will suit you and how can you gain entry?

This module will help students to analyse their own preferences, skills, values and career aspirations. They will learn about career opportunities and labour market trends, and they will research employment and training opportunities for graduates and specifically for those with their degree specialism. Students will consolidate and further develop the key skills which employers are looking for such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and researching and presentation skills. Students will also develop a career plan and enhance their job search and application skills. This includes understanding and interpreting job adverts, writing CVs, understanding assessment centres and developing interview skills. The module includes contact with and presentations by a range of employers to raise awareness of employer needs and trends.

Students will undertake a variety of practical assignments in synthetic chemistry including preparing and characterising a range of organic and metal-containing materials. Air-sensitive and chromatographic techniques will be addressed alongside characterisation techniques such as IR, uv-vis, and NMR. Experiments will include aspects of asymmetric synthesis and catalysis, f- and d- block coordination chemistry, and spectroscopy and synthesis of heterocycles.

The aim of this module is to expand upon students’ practical skills, and to prepare them with knowledge, understanding and skills in practical synthetic chemistry, including specifically the use of Schlenk-line equipment, other methods for handling air-sensitive materials and chromatographic techniques for separating complex mixtures of products. In addition this module will introduce the students to working on longer and more involved synthetic tasks than they have encountered before.

This module investigates solid functional materials and discusses their mechanical, magnetic, electric, and optical properties using concepts such as band gap theory to link atomic, molecular, or nanoscale structures to bulk properties, and leading to the discussion of their current applications. Students will then focus on three fundamental classes of self-organised soft materials: block-copolymers, colloids, and liquid crystals. They will explore the influence of size, shape, and chemical structure of typical building blocks on the observed bulk structures and material properties with the aim to establish the key principles of self-organisation in each class, and to uncover the overarching connections between them. The module then concentrates on exploring the characteristics of materials with unique surface properties, such as functional surfaces.

The module will convey to students the chemical structure, properties and applications of hard and soft materials that are at the core of a range of modern technologies. In particular, students will be provided with key concepts that link the structure of molecular/nanoscale building blocks to the organisation in the bulk and at surfaces; and will provide understanding on how manipulation at the molecular level enables control of this organisation and the resulting material properties.

Electrochemistry and Advanced Spectroscopy explores electricity and chemical changes. The module considers the application of electricity to elicit chemical reactions and provides the fundamentals of electrochemistry and modern electrochemistry. Students will learn to analyse simple electrochemical behaviour. The spectroscopy section of the module gives an overview of a range of optical spectroscopic techniques. Students will gain an understanding of Raman theory including advancements and real world applications of Raman spectroscopy as well as luminescence spectroscopy.

This module will focus on the control of various types of selectivity involved in reactions of organic molecules. The following concepts will be discussed: (a) chemoselectivity - which functional group reacts, (b) regioselectivity - which part of a functional group reacts, and (c) stereoselectivity - which stereoisomer is obtained. In this context, approaches to efficiently control chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity in organic reactions will be discussed, including classical selective oxidations/reductions and the use of protecting groups. In addition, a range of modern synthetic methods will be presented, with a particular focus on reactive intermediates, such as radicals, carbenes and nitrenes. The module will end the consideration of frontier molecular orbital (FMO) theory to rationalise the outcome and selectivity of a special class of chemical processes known as pericyclic reactions processes, in which new bonds are made and broken in a concerted fashion when electrons go round in a ring.

Biological Chemistry and Chemical Biology explores the chemical building blocks of life, including nucleotides, amino acids, carbohydrates and lipids; the mechanisms of DNA replication, transcription and translation and provides an introduction to protein structure and properties. Students will study proteins in action, enzyme mechanisms and transition state structures, before exploring visualising biomolecular structures, nanoparticles in biology and selected aspects of the role of metals in biology.

Students will be introduced to fundamental biological processes and concepts from a chemical perspective. The module will build upon the theory of physical, organic and inorganic chemistry, to provide a mechanistic understanding of important biological processes including DNA replication, transcription and translation, protein folding and biocatalysis. Examples will be given of how chemistry can contribute to our understanding of living organisms and the treatment of disease. Students will gain a broad understanding of fundamental biological processes, and how chemical principles provide insight into the mechanism of these processes. The module highlights the role that physical methods such as spectroscopy play in modern biological chemistry.

The aim of this module is to introduce computational chemistry. It will build upon theoretical knowledge gained in previous years, showing how it is applied in real chemical problems and challenges. The module is split into techniques that use either a quantum chemical or a molecular mechanical based approach.

The basic theoretical concepts behind quantum, molecular mechanics and coarse grain approaches will be taught, along with the applications and applicability of these approaches for different research questions. The practical application and experience of each technique will also be of major importance, as will the limitations of each of the respective approaches.

Students will receive an introduction to lanthanides and actinides, their place in the periodic table, and electronic configurations. They will study the shape and nature of the f orbitals, extraction and isolation as well as elemental forms, oxidation states, and halides and oxides, including divalent and multivalent compounds. With an emphasis on the underpinning inorganic chemistry principles, the module investigates topics such as co-ordination chemistry of metals in biology, reversible oxygen binding and electron transfer. Finally, the module looks at how metals are acquired, transported and stored, photosynthesis and small molecule activation.

By the end of the module, students will have an understanding of f-block elements and their chemistry, highlighting their increasing importance technologically. Students will be able to compare and contrast the f block element behaviour with that of the metals of the s and d blocks. This module also details the importance of metals in biological processes. Students will develop an understanding of inorganic chemistry within a biological context.

This module introduces students to ion mobility and column chromatography techniques of analytical separation. The principles of these separation techniques will be described and exemplified, with an emphasis on understanding how each component within a given separation technique contributes to the analytical quality and efficiency of the overall separation process. The practice of analytical chromatography will be described in terms of the application of advanced methods that enable the optimisation of separation resolution, detection sensitivity, and analysis time.

Students will gain an appreciation of how analytical separation systems rely on a combination of components working together and how the performance of any individual component affects the overall separation process. Throughout, practical examples of separation applications will be used to illustrate the principles and practice taught in the module. The module also demonstrates how an understanding of the fundamental chemical principles of a technique may be used to assist method development and the optimisation of the practical application of a technique. A study of analytical separations brings together both qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical data.

This module considers the fundamental properties of molecules and how to understand them from the perspective of theoretical chemistry. Students will gain an insight into molecular scale interactions and reaction processes. The interpretation of experimental spectra will be considered through the explicit calculation of the electronic structure of molecules using modern quantum chemical techniques. Lectures will introduce concepts such as the subtleties of electronic structure, molecular motion and reaction dynamics, understanding photochemical processes and developing models of intermolecular interactions

Lectures will focus on describing molecular structure, intermolecular forces, reaction dynamics, and the processes behind the computation of 'theoretical spectra' all from the electronic structure of a molecule. The computer-based workshop sessions will involve directly computing these properties and spectra using computational techniques, and will provide the opportunity to learn how to rationalise experiment using theoretical results. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the colour of molecules, both in absorption and emission, together with molecular vibrations, reactivity and reaction processes.

This module describes the use of chemical contrast agents in biological and medical imaging. Various techniques will be introduced with a discussion of their strengths and weaknesses and the requirements for chemical agents to enhance their usefulness. The design and synthesis of general classes of agents and specific examples of clinical imaging agents (e.g. FDG, Myoview) will be presented, showing how the biological/pharmaceutical properties (membrane transport, toxicity) and physical properties required for imaging can be successfully balanced with molecular design. Finally, the area of multi-modal agents will be introduced and real-life applications of selected agents is illustrated.

The module will introduce key concepts relating to the chemistry behind and the design, synthesis and application of chemical agents in MRI; PET; SPECT; Fluorescence microscopy and other optical techniques. Finally the module will introduce the concept of multimodal imaging and explore the issues involved and prospects for development in this area.

This research project module is the essential core requirement for a student undertaking the MChem programme and comprises 50% of the final year. Due to the wide variety of expertise in the Department of Chemistry and the interests of the students themselves, the precise nature of the work to be undertaken can be very diverse. It will be under one of the broad headings of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy; Chemical Theory and Computation or Synthetic Chemistry.

Students will gain in depth knowledge and an understanding of a particular area of chemistry and undertake experimental/computational research. The specific techniques (practical, instrumental and computational) involved in the chosen area will be learnt in depth to lead to publication quality research in a leading international journal.

Throughout this module, students will be equipped with a deeper understanding of the chemistry behind materials science, focusing on organic (with special emphasis on polymers) and inorganic materials.

Students are introduced to the structural concepts of inorganic and organic materials, focusing on how their structure and bonding stringing determines their properties. The module enables students to delve deeper into a range of methods to synthesise and characterise these materials, combined with an understanding of applying materials properties in the energy field, such as energy production and storage.

Students will be equipped with specialist knowledge and understanding to predict properties and applications of a variety of materials, enabling them to extensively discuss principles for synthesis and characterisation of materials. They will also develop key skills in data analysis, reviewing research literature, and critical assessment and prediction of materials’ behaviour with the capability to take this forward into industry.

This module provides an advanced introduction into nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), which is the principal spectroscopic technique used by chemists, biochemists, and biologists, to determine the structure of molecules and study their dynamics. In modern usage, NMR is an extremely powerful technique as the experiments can be performed in a way that enhances or removes certain types of information from the spectra, facilitating their interpretation.

In this module, the basic principles of the method are presented from a physical chemistry perspective. This is followed by discussion of the experimental methods appropriate to the study of both liquid and solid samples. Applications of NMR to the structure and dynamic of proteins, to solid-state inorganic materials and medical imaging are also explored.

Students’ understanding of the principles of chemical simulation is developed during this module, providing knowledge of both the modern approaches in chemical simulation, and the techniques required to understand, interpret and manipulate key simulated chemical properties. The principles and application of the current most relevant electron structure simulation methods (including Hartree-Fock, density functional, configuration interaction and coupled cluster theories) will also be explored.

In addition to this, students will gain insight into the effects of special relativity in chemistry and the recently identified manifestations of these effects.

There are four practical sessions associated with this module, where students will be required to apply the knowledge they gained in a problem-solving environment. This will allow the understanding, engagement and progress of the students to be monitored and feedback to be provided.

This optional module will build upon your physical chemistry knowledge acquired during the first three years of your degree, applying it to the understanding and elucidation of organic reaction mechanisms.

You’ll start with an introduction to the origins of physical organic chemistry and revision of the basic concepts and approaches used in mechanistic investigations. The module includes kinetic and reaction progress analysis, isotopic labelling, structure-reactivity correlations, trapping of reaction intermediates, mechanistically controlled stereochemistry, acid-base and organometallic catalysis. Examples of each topic will be extracted from real-world research and data reported by the international scientific community.

By the end of the module, you will be able to design experiments to support or disprove a mechanistic proposal, put all the pieces of experimental evidence together to decide which mechanistic proposal is the best fit, and propose alternative mechanisms if the experimental evidence does not fit the current proposal.

This module will teach students about the chemistry and molecular basis of recent advances in soft materials and nanoscience, with a particular focus on liquid crystals and linking these advances to real applications.

The module will explore key principles of soft matter organisation from the examples encountered in Year Two and Three, in particular the self-assembly of block-copolymers, surfactants, and lyotropic colloids, and will apply these principles to the understanding of liquid crystal systems. The chemical structures of typical liquid crystals will be introduced, as well as the structure and physical properties of their mesophases as anisotropic fluids and their use in devices from LCD-TVs to optical sensors. The module will end with a discussion of current frontiers in soft materials research and the exploration of some emerging soft nanomaterials as hybrid soft materials.

This module drills down into the advanced chemical details of how materials can be used to harvest light, and the technologies available to store and release energy on demand.

The module is taught in two parts, the first part covers the research methods used for improving solar capture in solar cells and explores the challenges and limitations of different solar cells, with novel research methodologies used to improve their efficiencies. The second part focuses on electrochemical energy storage and recent research development in batteries. Throughout this module, students will gain an advanced understanding of light management and energy conversion, and be able to apply their knowledge to recent research developments in the field of photovoltaics and electrochemical storage.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to understand and critique a variety of battery and chemical storage technologies, and discuss the latest advances in solar energy conversion and their application to solar cells. Students will be equipped with knowledge of how to analyse different methodologies for improving the efficiency limit of solar cells, and be able to provide a critical evaluation of how chemistry is used in renewable energy using primary literature.

Many of the organic molecules in nature and modern small-molecule drugs are used to treat a variety of diseases. It is necessary that chemists are able to introduce chirality in molecules in a controlled way through stereoselectivity. Students will gain an understanding of a range of synthetic methods for the stereocontrolled preparation and manipulation of organic compounds.

We will teach a variety of topics including the shapes of molecules and reaction transition states in 3-dimensions, looking at how molecular shape affects reaction outcome; the stereochemical manipulation of cyclic and acyclic compounds; the prediction of relative stereochemical configuration of racemic products, and the enantioselective synthesis of molecules by utilising chiral reagents.

To develop students’ understanding further, they will also be introduced to topics including enantioselective catalysis, an approach that enables the stereoselective synthesis of products with a small amount of chiral catalyst. Students will learn key methods for the catalytic asymmetric reduction and oxidation, chiral Lewis acid activation, and the core concepts of organocatalysis

Students will be able to demonstrate how to apply stereoselective methods in the synthesis of natural products and drug compounds throughout the module. They will also gain specialist knowledge of contemporary approaches for the induction of stereoselectivity in synthesis, and key skills in applying appropriate 3-dimensional models to predict the outcome of a broad range of stereoselective reactions.

An introduction to the research field of supramolecular chemistry (‘Chemistry beyond the molecule’) will be provided. At first, students will study host-guest recognition, including how receptors bind different cations and anions with high affinity and selectivity. Then, the elegant structures and functions of supramolecular architectures that are generated by templated self-assembly processes will be explored.

Throughout the module, parallels will be drawn between examples found in the natural world and the synthetic chemistry laboratory. Students will critically analyse recent developments in supramolecular chemistry by applying its principles. A key part of this module will be the regular reference to, and study of, relevant papers and reviews on supramolecular chemistry in scientific literature.

This module will further develop knowledge and understanding in the areas relevant to transition metal catalysis, building on previous coordination and organometallic chemistry. Students will focus on transition metal chemistry including the stereochemistry of coordination complexes, structure determination, and homogenous catalysis.

Case studies in homogeneous catalysis will include: asymmetric hydrogenation and hydroformylation, oxidative catalysis and C-C bond formation.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to rationalise the stereoisomeric considerations in a range of transition metal complexes, and describe a range of techniques to predetermine the isomeric integrity in inorganic materials. They will also discuss catalytic pathways in a range of industrially important procedures and be able to interpret and generate appropriate hybrid nomenclature.