Spring 2026 - CHEM 381 D100
Intermediate Organic Chemistry (4)
Class Number: 5826
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Tue, Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Apr 25, 2026
Sat, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Pete Wilson
pwilson@sfu.ca
778-782-5654
Office: SSB 8100
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Prerequisites:
CHEM 380 with a minimum grade of C-.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An intermediate level course in modern organic chemistry, including both theoretical design of synthetic routes and practical training in the laboratory. The central topics to be discussed include methods to form carbon-carbon bonds, use of organometallic reagents, asymmetric synthesis, pericyclic reactions, the use of enzymes in organic synthesis, and the automation of synthetic organic chemistry. Quantitative.
COURSE DETAILS:
Please note, this course outline was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change.
Mode of Teaching:
3 lecture hours/week and 1 tutorial/week for 9 weeks; 4 lab hours/week for 12 Weeks
Lecture: In-person at Burnaby campus (Monday, 2:30-3:20 & Wednesday 2:30-4:20)
Tutorial/Prelab: In-person at Burnaby campus (Monday, 3:30-4:20)
Laboratory: In-person at Burnaby campus (Tuesday, 13:30-17:20)
Note:- For practical reasons, the scheduled second lecture period on Mondays will be used as a prelab/tutorial. Accordingly, the scheduled tutorial period on Wednesdays will be used as a lecture period.
- There is no lab, tutorial or instructor office hours in the first week of classes.
General Course Description:
This is an intermediate level course in modern organic chemistry. A historical description of the subject will be presented and basic functional group interconversion reactions will be reviewed. The central topics to be discussed include methods to form carbon-carbon bonds, organometallic reagents, asymmetric synthesis, pericyclic reactions, the use of enzymes in organic synthesis, and the automation of synthetic organic chemistry. The design of synthetic routes to prepare organic compounds will be introduced and illustrative examples given. The course includes a laboratory component that is designed to provide practical training in synthetic organic chemistry.
Lecture Topics:
Week 1. Historical perspective, chemical literature and database searches, review of basic functional group interconversions.
Week 2. Carbon-carbon bond forming reactions.
Week 3. Organometallic reagents.
Week 4. Asymmetric synthesis.
Week 5. Pericyclic reactions.
MIDTERM EXAM
Week 6. Enzyme-mediated and automated organic synthesis.
Weeks 7-8. Introduction to the design of synthetic routes (retrosynthetic analysis), protecting groups, linear and convergent synthesis.
Week 9. Course review.
Grading
- Midterm Exam 10%
- Final Exam 40%
- Laboratory 50%
NOTES:
Note: There is no lab, tutorial or instructor office hours in the first week of classes.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Required Materials:
- Lab coat and safety glasses/goggles.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Francis A. Carey & Richard J. Sundberg. Advanced Organic Chemistry: Part A. Structure and Mechanisms. 4th Edition. 2000. Part B. Reactions and Synthesis. 5th Edition. 2007. Publisher: Springer.
- Michael B. March. Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure. 6th Edition. 2007. Publisher: Wiley-Interscience.
- E. J. Corey & Xue-Min Cheng. The Logic of Chemical Synthesis. 1995. Publisher: Wiley-Interscience.
- Stuart Warren. Designing Organic Syntheses: A Programmed Introduction to the Synthon Approach. 1978. Publisher: Wiley.
- Stuart Warren. Organic Synthesis: The Disconnection Approach. 1982. Publisher: Wiley.
- Fuhrhop & Penzlin. Organic Synthesis: Concepts, Methods, Starting Materials. VCH. 1994.
- Nicolaou & Sorensen. Classics in Total Synthesis. VCH. 1996.
Pavia, Lampman, Kriz, & Engel. Introduction to Organic Laboratory Techniques: A Microscale Approach. 4th Edition. 2006. Publisher: Cengage Learning.Contains information about laboratory safety. Copies will be available in the lab.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
A grade of C- or better is required for all prerequisite courses.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.