Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia

Physical Organic Chemistry

Code

11264

Academic unit

Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia

Department

Departamento de Química

Credits

3.0

Teacher in charge

Abel José de Sousa Costa Vieira

Weekly hours

2

Total hours

42

Teaching language

Português

Objectives

The aim of the discipline is to understand the intimate relationship between structure, properties and reactivity of organic compounds.

As far as competencies are concerned, in addition to the aims of formation in this scientifica area, it is expected that Physical Organic Chemistry will enable the student to understand emerging knowledge areas such as Bioorganic  and Organometalic Chemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry, Material Sciences and Nanotechnologies.

Prerequisites

As a 2nd Bologna Cycle discipline, Physical Organic Chemistry requires a solid fondamental formation (at 1st Cycle level) in Physical Chemistry, general Organic Chemistry and Reaction Mechanisms.

Subject matter

1. Molecular Structure and Chemical Thermodynamics

Review of basic bonding concepts

Modern Theory of Organic Bonding

Molecular orbital theory

Strain and Stability

Structure/Energy Relationships

Binding forces

Stereochemistry

2. Reactivity, Kinetics and Mechanism

Potential Energy Surfaces

Reaction coordinate diagrams. Transition states. Reaction order and rate constants

3. Linear Free Energy Relationships

Hammett Plots

Sigma and Rho Values. Deciphering reaction mechanisms. Prevision of rate and equilibrium constants.

4. Frontier Molecular Orbital Theory

Frontier orbitals HOMO and LUMO

HSAB Principle

Charge vs. Orbital control

5. Pericyclic Reactions

 Cycloaddition, Electrocyclic, Sigmatropic and Cheletropic reactions

  Conservation of Orbital Symmetry

Bibliography

E. V. Anslyn, D. A. Dougherty, Modern Physical Organic Chemistry, 1st Edition, University Science Books, 2006

 

F. A. Carroll, Perspectives on Structure and Mechanism in Organic Chemistry, 1st Edition, Pacific Grove, CA, 1997

 

H. Lowry, K. S. Richardson, Mechanism and Theory in Organic Chemistry, 3rd Edition , Harper & Row Publishers, 1987

 

P. A. Sykes, A Guidebook to Mechanism in Organic Chemistry, 7th Edition, Longman, 1980

Teaching method

The classes consist in a unique 2h session per week.

The lectures will be of theoretical-practical type, where the theoretical concepts will be illustrated with examples, followed by problem solving exercises by the students.

Evaluation method

Continuous evaluation by 2 or 3 Tests, during the semester.

Alternatively, final examination (written and/or, eventually, oral).

In the case of both Tests and final Examination, the final grade will the better one.

Courses