Natural Products Chemistry Ii
- Sciences
- 400 level
- 2 credit units
- 72 pages
- 4 units
This course on Natural Products Chemistry aims to provide students with comprehensive knowledge of organic compounds produced by living organisms. It explores the chemical composition of plants, focusing on primary and secondary metabolites, and macromolecules. The course also covers the isolation, structure determination, and biosynthesis of natural products, emphasizing their importance in medicine and ecological roles. Students will gain insights into plant metabolism and the applications of natural products.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 40 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- CHM321
- Organic Chemistry I
- CHM322
- Organic Chemistry II
- Self Assessment Exercises
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CHM422, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CHM422 · UNIT 2: TERPENES
Like terpenoids, alkaloids constitute a large and diverse class of compounds, with more than 12,000 examples known at present. They contain a basic amine group in their structure and are derived biosynthetically from amino acids.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the concept of natural products and their classification.
- Describe the isolation and structure determination of natural products.
- Discuss the biosynthesis of various classes of natural products.
- Distinguish between primary and secondary metabolites.
- Explain the role of natural products as new sources of drugs.
What it prepares you for
- Pharmaceutical Chemist
- Natural Product Researcher
- Quality Control Analyst
- Drug Discovery Scientist
- Phytochemical Analyst
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Cosmetics Industry
- Food and Beverage Industry
- Agricultural Industry
- Research and Development
- Spectrometers (NMR, MS, IR, UV-Vis)
- Chromatography Systems (GC, HPLC)
- Soxhlet Extractor
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Types of Compounds Found in Plants
Unit 2: Terpenes
The diverse structures and classifications of terpenes require a strong understanding of organic chemistry principles and spatial reasoning.
- Module 1: Types of Compounds Found in Plants
Unit 3: Alkaloids
The complex heterocyclic ring systems and diverse physiological activities of alkaloids demand a comprehensive understanding of organic structures and their biological effects.
- Module 2: Isolation and Structure Determination of Natural Products
Unit 1: Isolation and Structure Determination of Natural Products
Interpreting NMR and mass spectrometry data requires advanced analytical skills and a deep understanding of molecular structures.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 39 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Types of Compounds Found in Plants
Unit 1: Types of Compounds Found in Plants · 3 hours
Read the introduction to understand the scope and objectives of natural products.. Differentiate between primary and secondary metabolites.. Understand the historical background and significance of natural products..
- Week 2Module 1: Types of Compounds Found in Plants
Unit 2: Terpenes · 3 hours
Define terpenes and terpenoids.. Study the isoprene rule and its application in terpene classification.. Learn about the isolation and properties of terpenes..
- Week 3Module 1: Types of Compounds Found in Plants
Unit 3: Alkaloids · 3 hours
Understand the occurrence, nomenclature, and isolation of alkaloids.. Study the chemical tests for alkaloids.. Learn about the classification of alkaloids based on their heterocyclic ring system..
- Week 4Module 2: Isolation and Structure Determination of Natural Products
Unit 1: Isolation and Structure Determination of Natural Products · 3 hours
Study the general methods of extraction, including aqueous and organic-solvent extraction.. Understand the process of fractionation and its importance in isolating natural products.. Learn about different chromatographic techniques such as TLC, GC, and HPLC..
- Week 5Module 2: Isolation and Structure Determination of Natural Products
Unit 1: Isolation and Structure Determination of Natural Products · 3 hours
Study the characterization of natural products using NMR, MS, IR, and UV-Vis techniques.. Understand the stages involved in structure elucidation.. Differentiate between isolation and characterization..
- Week 6Module 2: Isolation and Structure Determination of Natural Products
Unit 2: Biosynthesis · 3 hours
Understand the biosynthesis of some plant metabolites, including alkaloids, chlorophyll, and carotenoids.. Study the metabolic pathways of these compounds.. Learn about other natural products of pharmaceutical importance such as prostaglandins and antibiotics..
- Week 7Module 2: Isolation and Structure Determination of Natural Products
Unit 2: Biosynthesis · 3 hours
Continue studying the biosynthesis of plant metabolites.. Focus on the biosynthesis of vitamins and flavonoids.. Understand the role and importance of these compounds in plants and pharmaceuticals..
- Week 8Module 1: Types of Compounds Found in Plants
Unit 1: Types of Compounds Found in Plants · 3 hours
Review the types of compounds found in plants, focusing on primary and secondary metabolites.. Practice distinguishing between different classes of natural products.. Prepare notes on the history and background of natural products..
- Week 9Module 1: Types of Compounds Found in Plants
Unit 2: Terpenes · 3 hours
Review the classification of terpenes and terpenoids.. Practice applying the isoprene rule to identify terpene structures.. Study examples of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and diterpenes..
- Week 10Module 1: Types of Compounds Found in Plants
Unit 3: Alkaloids · 3 hours
Review the properties and chemical tests for alkaloids.. Practice classifying alkaloids based on their heterocyclic ring system.. Study examples of pyrrolidine, piperidine, and quinoline alkaloids..
- Week 11Module 2: Isolation and Structure Determination of Natural Products
Unit 1: Isolation and Structure Determination of Natural Products · 3 hours
Review the methods of extraction and fractionation of natural products.. Practice identifying appropriate solvents for different extraction methods.. Study examples of chromatographic techniques such as TLC and HPLC..
- Week 12Module 2: Isolation and Structure Determination of Natural Products
Unit 1: Isolation and Structure Determination of Natural Products · 3 hours
Review the characterization techniques for natural products.. Practice interpreting spectroscopic data such as NMR and MS.. Study examples of structure elucidation of natural products..
- Week 13Module 2: Isolation and Structure Determination of Natural Products
Unit 2: Biosynthesis · 3 hours
Review the biosynthetic pathways of plant metabolites.. Practice outlining the steps involved in chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis.. Study examples of alkaloids, vitamins, and flavonoids..
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed concept maps linking the different classes of natural products (terpenes, alkaloids, etc.) to their biosynthetic pathways.
- Practice interpreting spectroscopic data (NMR, MS, IR) to identify key functional groups and structural features of unknown compounds.
- Focus on understanding the mechanisms of key reactions involved in the biosynthesis of major natural product classes.
- Review the different extraction and fractionation techniques, focusing on the principles behind each method and their applications.
- Solve practice problems involving structure elucidation of natural products using a combination of spectroscopic data and chemical reactions.
Questions students ask about this course
What is CHM422 about?
This course on Natural Products Chemistry aims to provide students with comprehensive knowledge of organic compounds produced by living organisms. It explores the chemical composition of plants, focusing on primary and secondary metabolites, and macromolecules. The course also covers the isolation, structure determination, and biosynthesis of natural products, emphasizing their importance in medicine and ecological roles. Students will gain insights into plant metabolism and the applications of natural products.
How many units does CHM422 have?
CHM422, Natural Products Chemistry Ii, has 4 units across 2 modules, over 72 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CHM422?
CHM422 carries 2 credit units, at 400 level in Sciences.
Is CHM422 hard?
CHM422 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does CHM422 take to study?
About 40 hours of study, spread across its 4 units.
How is CHM422 assessed?
CHM422 is assessed by Self Assessment Exercises, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What do I need before starting CHM422?
CHM321 Organic Chemistry I CHM322 Organic Chemistry II
What can I do with CHM422?
Pharmaceutical Chemist, Natural Product Researcher, Quality Control Analyst, Drug Discovery Scientist and Phytochemical Analyst.