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2025-2026 / CHIM9327-1

Pharmaceutical organic chemistry

Duration

40h Th, 26h QA Sess.

Number of credits

 Bachelor in pharmacy8 crédits 

Lecturer

Pierre Francotte

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course consists of three modules.

The first module aims to review the various concepts of general chemistry necessary to engage in the course and establish a common language. It includes two chapters:
I.1/ From atom to molecule, electronic aspects.
I.2/ Structure representations.

The second module focuses on the central concepts of organic chemistry, which allow for a systematic description of organic transformations covered in the third module. It includes six chapters:
II.1/ Functions & nomenclature.
II.2/ Electron movements: follow the arrows!
II.3/ Basics of organic synthesis.
II.4/ Reaction classification.
II.5/ Acid/base & consequences.
II.6/ Stereoisomerism.

Finally, the third module primarily reviews the main functional group transformations. This module then addresses general concepts such as retrosynthesis, green chemistry, catalysis, and techniques for identifying organic products. The memorization effort in Module III is reduced if the concepts from Modules I and II have been properly understood. To encourage students in their efforts, in addition to review sessions, two tests are scheduled (see below).

III.1/ Alkenes.
III.2/ Halogenated derivatives.
III.3/ Alkynes.
III.4/ Alcohols and phenols.
III.5/ Ethers and thioethers.
III.6/ Aromatic compounds.
III.7/ Amines.
III.8/ Aldehydes and ketones.
III.9/ Carboxylic acids and their derivatives.
III.10/ Radical synthesis.
III.11/ Synthesis & retrosynthesis.
III.12/ Green chemistry.
III.13/ Catalysis.
III.14/ Techniques for identifying organic products.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of this teaching unit, you will be able to:

- Name organic compounds (either by their common names or using IUPAC nomenclature).
- Convert a compound's name into its structural formula.
- Draw structures according to conventions (structural formula, three-dimensional aspects).
- Determine theoretical results of elemental analysis.
- Identify functional groups; among these, identify functions with acid/base properties.
- Indicate expected pKa values for functions with acid/base properties.
- Identify aromatic structures.
- Explain the solubility, extractability, and reactivity of a compound based on its structure.
- Infer the physicochemical properties of a compound from its structure.
- Classify homologous reagents by acidity/basicity/nucleophilicity/reactivity.
- Use ChemDraw to correctly communicate chemical structures.
- Calculate the quantities of reagents and yields obtained during reactions, considering the concept of significant figures.
- Distinguish isomers. For optical isomerism, assign the absolute configuration of asymmetric carbon atoms.
- Search for chemical information using specialized research tools.
- Justify the steps of a procedure.
- Predict the products formed and complete incomplete reaction schemes.
- Propose the probable mechanism of a reaction among those covered in the course.
- Justify the steps constituting a reaction scheme.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

General Chemistry (Q1)

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course includes "ex cathedra" lectures, review sessions (+eCampus).

Thirteen 2-hour review sessions are planned. These sessions aim to help students master the material through problem-solving. The in-person sessions are supplemented each week by online tests on eCampus (formative, non-certifying assessment).

During the review sessions, several exercises are first solved and explained in detail by the instructors. Then, students solve problems on their own with the assistance of the instructors.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

The theoretical course (40 hours) is conducted in person.

At the beginning of the semester, two groups are created on eCampus for the review sessions: each student selects their group, taking into account any scheduling conflicts, and commits not to change groups during the semester.
It is important to adhere to the organization to ensure that these review sessions run efficiently.
The exercises covered in the review sessions will be made available before each session, with emphasis on the exercises that will be solved/explained by the instructors (the exercises will be the same for both groups).

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

**Reference Book:** "Organic Chemistry, 2nd edition" by Paula Yurkanis Bruice is not essential but can be a useful companion. It is available new at Pax for 47 euros, second-hand (with some searching), and in the library (with some searching).

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )


Further information:

The written exam covers the entire course content and consists of two parts:

  • Part I (20%): assessment of basic concepts. A minimum of 50% in this part is required for Part II to be graded.
  • Part II (80%): assessment of advanced knowledge and skills. If the threshold is not reached in Part I, Part II is not graded and the exam grade is limited to Part I.
Two mid-term assessments are scheduled: the first (7%) covers prerequisites and material from the first 5 lectures and 3 tutorials; the second (15%), held in April, covers the first 15 lectures and 7 tutorials. The final exam accounts for 78% of the grade.

Except in exceptional circumstances, missed quizzes-whether or not justified by a medical certificate-cannot be rescheduled and will result in a mark of zero.


All assessments use standardized answer sheets. Students are responsible for correctly identifying their papers; unidentified or misidentified papers will not be graded (0/20). During exams, only a blue or black ballpoint pen, correction tape, and a non-programmable calculator are permitted. No sharing of materials is allowed. Electronic devices must be switched off and stored in a bag.

Work placement(s)

Later in their studies, interested students can engage in research work (as student researchers or during internships).

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

**Course in French.**

It is important to arrive on time for lectures, review sessions, and lab sessions. Latecomers disrupt the smooth running of the sessions and will have to wait for a break to enter.

If you have questions about the material, please note that email is not suitable, as explanations often require diagrams, which takes a lot of time to respond to a single student. It is preferable to ask your questions via the forum. A forum on eCampus is set up for you to ask questions about the material and to facilitate student collaboration. You are strongly encouraged to use this forum as all students benefit from the provided answers; the forum will be moderated by the instructors every three days. Alternatively, your questions can be asked in person (at the end of a class, during a break, in review sessions, or during lab sessions).

Emails sent to a member of the team must include the following elements: last name, first name, student ID, course concerned, and specific information about the request. Additionally, the subject of the email must mention the course code.

Contacts

Pierre.Francotte@uliege.be

Université de Liège | Fac. de Médecine
B36 niv.+5 | Lab. de Chimie Pharmaceutique (CIRM)
Quartier Hôpital | Av. Hippocrate 15 | B-4000 Liège, Belgium


Secretariat: ahamande@uliege.be

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