Synthesis Road Map Problems in Organic Chemistry

Abstract

Road map problems ask students to integrate their knowledge of organic reactions with pattern recognition skills to "fill in the blanks" in the synthesis of an organic compound. Students are asked to identify familiar organic reactions in unfamiliar contexts. A practical context, such as a medicinally useful target compound, helps students to see why the study of organic reactions may be important. Drawing from the primary literature, a small library of these problems was developed.

Retrosynthetic Analysis in Action: The Effectiveness of Filling in the Gaps

“…This study has investigated the development and impact of a series of novel and distinctive gap-fill activities to support online RSA and Advanced RSA courses in years two and three. These activities allow students to work through authentic syntheses of various target molecules, which exhibit useful and interesting properties, with the aim of motivating and enthusing students about synthesis . Syntheses from the primary literature were carefully chosen so that students could apply their understanding of threshold concepts covered in the online lectures to structurally complex targets.…”

“…These activities allow students to work through authentic syntheses of various target molecules, which exhibit useful and interesting properties, with the aim of motivating and enthusing students about synthesis. 20 Syntheses from the primary literature were carefully chosen so that students could apply their understanding of threshold concepts covered in the online lectures to structurally complex targets. This allows students to develop the logic required to solve RSA problems.…”

Designing convergent chemistry curricula

“…Our reforms and experiences are representative but not unique. Other departments are likewise in transition, taking their own paths toward more convergent curricula [23][24][25] . To monitor these transitions in real time, we have produced a web-based resource that will compile details of curricular changes in college-level general chemistry and organic chemistry sequences.…”

Fuming Chemicals Inc.—An Entrepreneurial Activity in Organic Chemistry

“…Students in second semester organic chemistry spend copious amounts of time honing their ability to solve multistep synthesis problems shown in the various materials presented during the course. Despite the diligence of these students, when questioned on assessments students often struggle in learning to formulate the proper sequence of reactions necessary to obtain a required target compound leading to poor examination scores and high attrition rates. − …”