1

Master of Science in Applied Organic Chemistry

Detailed syllabus–2010

MOC 5001: Advanced Organic Chemistry (45L)- 3 credits

Mechanistic & stereochemical approach to organic reactions (11 L)

Reactions of organic compounds as acids and bases, Reaction pathways, Conformational analysis, Overview of stereochemistry, Nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions, Nucleophilic addition to carbonyls, Nucleophilic substitution of carboxylic acid derivatives, Enols and enolate anions as nucleophiles, Electrophilic substitution of aromatic compounds, Chemistry of amines, Oxidation and reductions.

Organic synthesis (12 L)

Retrosynthetic analysis, Simple examples of retrosynthetic analysis with C-C bond disconnections, Synthesis of alkenes, Two-group disconnections: 1,3-Dioxygenated skeletons, 1,5-Dicarbonyl compounds, “Illogical” two group disconnections: 1,2-Dioxygenation pattern, 1,4-Dioxygenation pattern, Analysis of 1,6-Dicarbonyl compounds, Disconnections of heterocyclic compounds, Synthesis of 3- and 4-membered rings, Use of protecting groups in organic synthesis, Examples of total synthesis & asymmetric synthesis.

Heterocyclic chemistry (06L)

Nomenclature, Aromatic heterocyclic compounds, Reactions of heterocycles as acids and bases, Synthesis of heterocycles by reaction of nucleophiles with carbonyls compounds, Substitution reactions of heterocyclic compounds: Pyrimidines, purines, pyridines and five membered heterocycles and their biological significance.

Concerted reactions (06L)

Overview of concerted reactions, Cycloaddition reactions of carbons compounds:Electrocyclic reactions, 1,3-dipolar additions and sigmatropic rearrangements, Reactions of carbenes.

Industrial organic synthesis(06L)

Introduction to organometallic chemistry, Basic products of industrial synthesis:Synthesis gas: Generation, purification and applications, Pure synthesis gas components: Generation, purification and applications, C1 units: Manufacture and applications of methanol, formaldehyde etc.

Synthesis and fabrication of organic nanomaterials (04 L)

Introduction to organic nanomaterials, synthesis, characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM)/Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)/ Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).

MOC 5002: Separation and Characterization Techniques(30L) - 2 credits

Separation methods (10 L)

Chromatogrpahic separation mechanisms, Chromatographic retention, Normal and reverse phase liquid chromatography: Capacity factor, selectivity, resolution, column efficiency, temperature programming and gradient elution, Qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, GC instrumentation and troubleshooting, HPLC instrumentation and troubleshooting, Chromatographic detectors.

Molecular spectroscopy–absorption (12 L)

Ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy, Advanced 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy: Chemically and magnetically equivalent nuclei, long range coupling, first order versus complex spectra, introduction to 2D NMR (COSY, Hetcorr), uses of HMQC and HMBC, Mass spectrometry: Fragmentation patterns of the common classes of compounds in electron ionization, different soft ionization methods (FAB, electrospray and MALDI), GC-MS, LC-MS and MS/MS techniques and their use in structure elucidation.

Molecular spectroscopy - emission (04 L)

Molecular fluorescence, phosphorescence and chemiluminescence, Theory of fluorescence and phosphorescence, Applications and photoluminescence methods: Steady state and time resolved methods, fluorescence quenching and enhancing reagents, fluorescence probes.

Atomic spectroscopy - absorption and emission (04 L)

Absorption of radiation by free atoms, Difficulties of the use of a continuous source of radiation, Hollow Cathode Lamp (HCL), Nebulizers. Flame and non-flame atomizers, Interferences in AAS and methods to eliminate them, Solvent effects, Matrix effect. Atomic emission spectroscopy, Precautions in using flame photometry.

MOC 5003: Medicinal Chemistry (45L) - 3 credits

Drug design and development (05L)

History, Pharmacokinetics: The dynamics of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination, Pharmacodynamics, Membrane transporters and drug response, Discovery and development of drugs, Strategies in drug design, Molecular modeling.

Therapy of infectious diseases (06L)

General principles, Antibacterial drugs (sulfonamides, beta-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, macrolides etc), Drugs used in the chemotherapy of protozoal infections and antiprotozoal drugs, Drugs used in the treatment of cestoda, trematoda and nematoda (helminthiasis), Antifungal compounds.

Drugs acting on the central nervous system (08L)

Neurotransmission and the central nervous system, Volatile anesthetics, Local anesthetics, Central nervous system depressants: Sedative hypnotics, anticonvulsants, neurtolepics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, Stimulants and hallucinogens, Drugs used to treat neuromuscular disorders: Antiparkinsonism agent and skeletal muscle relaxants, Opioid receptors and analgesics.

Drugs affecting renal, blood and cardiovascular function (08L)

Cardiac agents: Cardiac inotropes (cardiac glycosides), antianginals and antiarrhythmic drugs, anticoagulants(thrombolytic and antiplatelet), coagulants and plasma extenders, anti-hypertensive agents, Diuretics, Hyperlipidemia and the mechanism of lipid transport, Antilipidemic drugs: Statins.

Drugs used in controlling allergies and inflammation (06L)

Histamines, Antiallergenic agents such as antihistamine and leukotreine receptor modulators, Chemical mediators in hypersensitivity reactions, Drugs acting on the respiratory system: Bronchodilators and mast-cell stabilizing agents, Adrenocorticoids, Structure-activity relationship of steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, Drugs used in SLE and inflammatory bowel disease.

Hormones and hormoneantagonists (05L)

Pituitary hormones and their hypothalamic releasing hormones, Thyroid function, Thyroid and antithyroid drugs, Estrogens and progesterone and their therapeutic use, Drugs affecting sugar metabolism:Insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents.

Drugs used in the chemotherapy of neoplastic diseases (05L)

Antiviral agentsand their development in chemotherapy of AIDS, Drugs for neoplastic diseases: Alkylating agents, antimetabolites, antimitotic drugs and topoisomerase inhibitors.

Drugs acting on the gastrointestinal system and drugs acting on bone (02L)

Pharmacotherapy of gastric acidity: Antacids, H2 receptor blockers, proton pump inhibitors, Prokinetic agents, Anti-spasmodics, Treatment of disorders of bowel motility and water flux: Anti-motility agents, anti-emetics andanti-resorption agents.

MOC 5004: Natural Product Chemistry (30 L) - 2 credits

Introduction to secondary metabolism (04L)

The building blocks in primary and secondary metabolism, Construction mechanisms in biological systems such as alkylation, Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement, Aldol and Claisen condensations, Schiff base formation, Mannich reaction, Transamination, Decarboxylation, Phenolic oxidative coupling and Glycosidation, Vitamins and cofactors, Elucidation of biosynthetic pathways.

The acetate pathway (05L)

Saturated fatty acids, Unsaturated fatty acids, Prostaglandins, Thromboxanes, Leukotrienes, Aromatic polyketides, Oxidative cleavage of aromatic rings, Starter groups other than acetate, Macrolides and polyethers, Cyclization through Diels-Alder reactions.

The shikimate pathway (04L)

Aromatic amino acids and simple benzoic acids, Lignans and lignin, Phenylpropanes, Benzoic acids from C6C3 compounds, Coumarins, Flavonoids and stilbenes, Isoflavonoids, Vitamin K.

The mevalonate and deoxyxylulose phosphate pathways (06L)

Isoprene repeating unit, Monoterpenes, Essential oils and their importance, Biosynthesis, Important reactions and stereochemical aspects of monoterpenoids, Sesquiterpenoids, Diterpenoids, Sesterterpenoids, Triterpenoids, Carotenoids,Main types of steroids, their stereochemistry and biological functions, Important reactions and synthesis/partial synthesis of steroids.

Alkaloids (06L)

Chemical structure, Isolation and purification methods, and general methods employed for determining the structure of alkaloids, Biosynthesis of alkaloids derived from ornithine, lysine, nicotinic acid, tyrosine, tryptophan, anthranilic acid, and histidine, Purine alkaloids.

Carbohydrates (05L)

Configurational relationships, conformational analysis, mutarotation, Reactions of anomeric and non-anomeric carbon atoms, Reactions of the hydroxyl groups, Aminosugars, Reducing and non-reducing sugars, Nature of di-, tri-, and polysacaccharides, Structures of streptomycin, starch, glycogen, cellulose, chitin, pectic substances, carrageenan, glycoproteins and glycolipids.

MOC 5005 Proteins in industry (45 L)- 3 credits

Protein function (14 L)

Active site residues of different enzymes and positioning, Functions of coenzymes, Mechanism of enzyme catalysis, Enzyme catalysis in organic media, Primary and secondary isotope effects on enzyme catalyzed reactions, Enzyme catalysis group transfer reactions: Peptidases, esterases and lipases, Amination, Phosphorylation reactions catalyzed by enzymes; Phosphatases and phosphodiesterases, kinases, Redox reactions that require coenzymes; Oxidases and reductases, Monooxygenation and dioxygenation, Carboxylases and decarboxylases; Pyridoxyl dependent decarboxylases, Amino acid racemases, epimerases, aldose-ketose isomerases, cis-trans isomerases, Enzyme catalyzed elimination and addition reactions, Rearrangement reactions. Methods of improving enzyme stability.

Tools in recombinant DNA technology (10 L)

Nucleic acid structure and function, Chemical synthesis of DNA,Enzymes used in recombinant DNA technology and their applications,Vector systems, Cloning strategies,Analysis of cloned/recombinant DNA molecules.

Applications in recombinant DNA technology (08L)

Application of recombinant DNA technology in medicine, forensic science and industry, Genetically modified organisms and foods.

Fermentation process (05L)

Fermentation principle, Enzymatic reactions involved in fermentation,Microbial growth curve and kinetics, Basic functions of a fermenter, Application of fermentation in industries and carrying out fermentation in large scale processes, Purification and characterization of fermented products, Usage of fermentation end products.

Microbial products (08L)

Commonly used microbes in industry, Metabolic pathways for the biosynthesis of microbial products (enzymes, antibiotics, organic acids, alkaloids etc), Over production of microbial products, Applications of microbes in industry, medicine, food, milk milk products and beverages.

MOC 5006: Optional Topics (conducted by experts from Industry) (45L) -3 credits

These optional topics will be taught by persons well acquainted in the relevant areas and working in industrial environments. Having specialists from industry will bring in the aspects of industrial economics, industrial business and management sciences in to these special topics. Aspects of marketing such as the product pricing, quality and supply chain management can also be addressed by these experts within the stipulated time frame if it is relevant to the topic. Topics will be offered depending on the availability of the lecturers and the demand from the candidates registered in the M.Sc. program. At least 6 topics will be covered each year and 6-8 lecture hours will be allocated for each topic.

Plastics

Rubber and rubber products

Brewing technology and chemistry of fermentation processes

The chemistry of cosmetics

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP)

Paints and surface coating techniques

Industrial detergents

Oil and fat technology

Chemistry of food

Tea, coffee and Sri Lankan beverages

Dyes and dyeing

Quality management and assurance

Plastics

Introduction to types of plastics, Structure property relationships, Glass transition temperature of polymers & how polymers are classified as plastics. Types of plastics: Thermosets & Thermoplastics & main types of plastics such as (low density, High density, linear low density), Polypropylene, Polyvinyl Chloride, Fluorocarbon Polymers, Polyethers, Polyesters, Polycarbonates, Polyamides, Polystyrene, Acrylic Polymers. Plastics in packaging. Permeability properties of different plastics and the suitability of different plastics for different packaging applications. Polyurethanes: Major areas of application, chemistry of polyurethanes – reactions of polyisocyanates with polyols. Applications of polyurethane in the garment industry. Types of materials used in polyurethane industry and structure/strength properties relationship.

Rubber and rubber products

Natural rubber & synthetic rubbers, Structure property relationships, Vulcanization of rubbers, Vulcanizing agents and vulcanization mechanisms, Other chemicals used in the process, Degradation and stabilization, Thermoplastic elastomers, Rubber processing techniques, Dry rubber and latex based industries.

Brewing technology and chemistry of fermentation processes

Raw Materials:Water, malt,hops and other important materials, Chemistry and its impact on processing, Malting & Mashing:Chemical composition of barley, nitrogen/protein, enzymes, starch, Polysaccharidesimpact on brewing, Chemistry & Biochemistry ofMalting, Brew house procedures:Milling, mashing, boiling, filtration, equipment & machinery in brewing, Chemistry & Biochemistry of Fermentation: Yeast characteristics, yeast Biochemistry, metabolism of sugars, nitrogen metabolism, post fermentation techniques, Other industrial fermentation processes other than beer fermentation.

The chemistry of cosmetics

Raw material (Rheology of cosmetic systems, thickeners and gums, oil, fats and waxes) Safety and Legislation, Surface Chemistry, Decorative cosmetics, Personal care, Packaging, Perfumery manufacturing & marketing, Natural products as cosmetics.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

What they are? Characteristics of POPs, Why they are important? Policies, Categories of POPs: PCBs, PAHs, PCDDs, PCDFs, PBDEs and organochlorine pesticides; structures, sources, adverse effects and mode of action. How their physico-chemical properties govern their environmental fate and behaviour, Source inventories, Source apportionment, Methods of detection.

Paints and surface coating techniques

Introduction to paints: Composition of a paint, ingredients used in paints, types of paints such as varnish, enamel paint, lacquer, emulsion paint, filler paints, primers, sealers, surfacers or undercoats, top coats etc., Dry film properties: Adhesion to substrate, hardness, flexibility, surface appearance, scratch resistance, solvent resistance etc., Drying of paint: drying with and without chemical reactions. Ingredients used in the paint industry: Pigments (key properties & functions of pigments, selection of pigments and incorporation of pigments into a paint), types of pigments (natural or synthetic pigments, inorganic or organic pigments), Colour matching, Liquids used in making paints and their properties, Additives used to make paints, Types of paints: Lacquers, emulsion paints & non aqueous dispersions, oils & alkyd paints, thermosetting alkyd, polyester and acrylic paints based on nitrogen resins, epoxy coatings, polyurethanes, unsaturated polyesters and acrylics.

Industrial detergents

Types of detergents, Preparation of detergents: synthetic detergents, Additives in detergents, The effectiveness of detergents as cleansing agents, Anionic, cationic, nonionic and amphoteric detergents, Properties of soaps versus detergents.

Oil and fat technology

Oils & fats (Structure, Composition and Classification), Oil Extraction Technologies (Pulp oils, Seed oils, & Animal fats), Crude Oil Processing (Purification & Refinery Process), Fats & Oils Modification (Fractionation & Transestertification), Lipid oxidation & its control.

Quality management

ISO 9000 QMS, Lab Quality Management, Documentation of QMS.

MOC 5007: Practical Component - 6 credits

The number given in the following list indicates the number of 5 hr time slots. A total of 36, five hour times slots give the required 180 hrs.

Simple and muti-step synthesis of organic compounds08

Isolation of natural products05

Biochemical applications05

Analytical chemistry06

Recombinant technology and fermentation processes05

Molecular modeling and drug design03

Statistical analysis03

Presentation (15 min)01

Presentation is based on a paper (less than 10 pages) prepared by the student.Evaluation: There will be at least one practical examination and all experiments are subjected to a continuous assessment.

MOC 5008: Research Project - 8 credits

Full-time students will spend approximately 8 months for the completion of the research project. The dissertation written on the research work will be evaluated by a viva voce examination.