The course Chemical transformations provides an introduction to the general principles of chemical reactivity in
the context of modern multidisciplinary science. After the general introduction, the students will get familiar with the
basic concepts of inorganic, organic, organometallic, and polymer chemistry on the basis of general reactivity
concepts rather than memorizing particular reactions. Finally, one lecture will be devoted to the chemical
understanding of natural processes, providing an essential introduction to biochemistry and molecular biology.
Overall, the course will focus on overlaps within different areas of chemistry and between chemistry and other
natural sciences, particularly physics and biological sciences.
The course is supplemented by a practical workshop.
Poslední úprava: Ušelová Kateřina, RNDr., Ph.D. (31.01.2022)
Literatura - angličtina
Keeler J. and Wothers P.: Why chemical reactions happen, Oxford, 2003, ISBN 0199249733
Keeler J. and Wothers P.: Chemical structure and reactivity: an integrated approach, Oxford, 2013, ISBN 9780199604135
McMurry J.: Organic chemistry, Cengage Learning, 2015, ISBN 305080483
Housecroft, C. E. and Sharp, A. E.: Inorganic Chemistry, 5th Edition, Pearson, 2018, ISBN 1292134143
Stevens, M.P.: Polymer Chemistry: An Introduction, 3rd Edition, Oxford University Press, 1998, ISBN 0195124448
Poslední úprava: Ušelová Kateřina, RNDr., Ph.D. (31.01.2022)
Požadavky ke zkoušce - angličtina
For each lecture, the students will be provided with study materials to be reviewed before the particular lecture/workshop.
The final mark is based on the oral examination (80%) and the results of tests during the course (20%). The oral examination takes place during the examination period, and students must first obtain credit for the workshop. The credit for the workshop is based on two tests (midterm and final, each 50%).
Poslední úprava: Ušelová Kateřina, RNDr., Ph.D. (31.01.2022)
Sylabus - angličtina
Lecture 1: Introduction to Chemical Reactivity, Redox reactions
Overview of chemical reactivity principles, transition from chemical principles to chemical transformations, redox reactions (oxidations, reductions), electron transfer, reaction mechanisms, energy production, environmental impact
Lecture 2: Fundamentals of Organic Reaction Mechanisms
Basics of organic reaction mechanisms, types of reactions: substitution, addition, elimination, electron movement in reactions, curved arrows, induction effect, mesomeric effect, dipole moment, polarity, acids-base reactions
Lecture 3: Stereochemistry and Chirality in Organic Reactions
Understanding stereochemistry, E/Z isomerism, absolute configuration (Cahn-Ingold-Prelog system), chirality in biological systems, amino acids, influence on drug design and pharmacology (atropoisomers)
Reactivity of carbonyl group, reactions at α-position, carboxylic acids, functional derivatives of carboxylic acids, keto-enol tautomerism, aldolization, Claisen condensation, peptide bond,
Lecture 7: Catalysis
Theory of catalysis, types of catalysis: heterogeneous, homogeneous, enzymatic, catalytic mechanisms, industrial, environmental applications, nanocatalysts, biocatalysts research
Lecture 8: Industrially relevant chemical processes
Sources of chemicals, valorization of fossil resources, mineral resources and biomass, industrial chemistry principles, Haber-Bosch process, contact process, green chemistry, sustainability
Lecture 9: Biomedical Chemistry: Drug Design, Drug delivery, Bioconjugations
Chemical basis of drug action, principles of drug design and development, case studies of drug discovery
Lecture 10: Introduction to Material Chemistry
Basics of material chemistry, polymer chemistry, chemical principles in new material development, nanomaterials and their applications
Lecture 11: Supramolecular Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Principles of supramolecular chemistry, molecular recognition and self-assembly, applications in chemical biology and nanotechnology
Lecture 12: Biomaterials
Biomaterials: classification, properties, biocompatibility, bioactivity, tissue engineering, medical implants, drug delivery systems, ethical, regulatory aspects in biomaterials
Poslední úprava: Sedláček Ondřej, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (02.02.2024)
Výsledky učení - angličtina
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Explain the fundamental principles of chemical reactivity, including driving forces, energetics, and kinetics, and distinguish between thermodynamic and kinetic control of chemical reactions.
Identify and classify redox processes, assign oxidation states, balance simple redox equations, and justify the direction of electron transfer.
Construct and interpret organic reaction mechanisms using curved-arrow notation and rationalize the influence of inductive and mesomeric effects, polarity, and acid–base properties on reactivity and selectivity.
Determine and correctly describe stereochemistry (E/Z, R/S according to the Cahn–Ingold–Prelog rules) and explain the role of chirality in biological systems and drug activity (including atropisomerism).
Compare and predict competing substitution and elimination pathways (SN1, SN2, E1, E2, E1cb) based on substrate structure, nucleophilicity/basicity, solvent effects, and reaction conditions.
Explain the concept of aromaticity and predict regioselectivity in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, including activating/deactivating effects and directing groups, and distinguish electrophilic from nucleophilic aromatic substitution.
Analyze the reactivity of carbonyl compounds and the α-position and propose mechanisms for key transformations such as tautomerism, aldol reactions, Claisen condensation, acyl substitution, and peptide bond formation.
Explain and compare the principles of homogeneous, heterogeneous, and enzymatic catalysis, and evaluate how catalysis alters reaction mechanisms and energy profiles, including industrial, environmental, nano-, and biocatalytic applications.
Describe and critically evaluate selected industrially relevant chemical processes (e.g., Haber–Bosch and contact processes) with respect to raw material sources, energy efficiency, atom economy, and principles of green chemistry and sustainability.
Integrate chemical principles across disciplines by: a) explaining the chemical basis of drug design, drug action, drug delivery systems, and bioconjugation strategies; b) characterizing fundamental concepts of material chemistry, including polymers, nanomaterials, supramolecular interactions, self-assembly, biomaterials, biocompatibility, and regulatory and ethical aspects.
In the practical workshop, apply the acquired theoretical concepts to solve problem-based tasks, select appropriate chemical transformations or material strategies for a given problem, and justify the proposed solution.
Poslední úprava: Sedláček Ondřej, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (20.02.2026)
