Enrollment year
2021/2022
Academic discipline
CHIM/06 (ORGANIC CHEMISTRY)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMESTRY
Curriculum
PERCORSO COMUNE
Period
2nd semester (01/03/2022 - 17/06/2022)
Lesson hours
48 lesson hours
Prerequisites
Knowledge of basic organic chemistry, functional groups and carbon-carbon bond formation.
Learning outcomes
The course aims to illustrate the main classes of natural organic substances the "secondary metabolites."
Course contents
In the first part of the course, starting from the fundamental biosynthetic processes (Krebs cycle, glycolysis, and pentose cycle) the molecules constituting the basic biosynthetic substructures of secondary metabolites of complex structure are described.
The reactions used in nature in the different biosynthetic pathways are described. In particular, starting from the linear combination of acetylcoenzyme A molecules, the formation of fatty acids and derivatives is discussed, including those of the arachidonic acid cascade and polyketides. The formation of isopentenyl pyrophosphate and dimethylalkyl pyrophosphate as precursors of the different classes of terpene compounds and steroids is described.
Starting from the biosynthesis of scichimic acid and simple derivatives, the main classes of alkaloids and some mixed biosynthetic metabolites, such as flavonoids, are illustrated. Of the most important representatives of the different class of compounds, the most interesting biological and pharmacological properties are also indicated. In the second part of the course some total "historical" and modern syntheses of important natural organic compounds are illustrated.
Teaching methods
48 hours of lectures in the classroom, with many questions and interactions with the students.
Reccomended or required readings
P. M. Dewick, “Chimica, Biosintesi e Bioattività delle Sostanze Naturali”, Padova, Piccin, 2001.
T. Hudlicky and J. W. Reed, “The Way of Synthesis”, Wiley-VCH, 2007.
Assessment methods
Oral examination with a presentation focused on a secondary metabolite.
Further information
At the end of lectures we organize some lessons focused on high interest research topics.
Sustainable development goals - Agenda 2030
Natural products as a scaffold for total synthesis of bioactive compounds.
The goals 
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