Students

CHEM2601 – Synthesis

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer/Unit convenor
Fei Liu
fei.liu@mq.edu.au
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Lecturer
Koushik Venkatesan
koushik.venkatesan@mq.edu.au
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Lecturer
Alf Garcia-Bennett
Alf.garcia@mq.edu.au
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Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
CHEM1001 and CHEM1002
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit serves the needs of students who wish to major in chemistry or biomolecular sciences, as well as those pursuing related disciplines in biological, medical, materials and health sciences. It will be valuable to anyone with an interest in how organic and inorganic compounds react with one another, and how chemists use this knowledge of molecular interactions to synthesise new compounds with desirable properties (eg, new pharmaceuticals, new catalysts, and new materials). The unit focuses on the principles, mechanisms and synthetic procedures of organic and inorganic compounds. Topics include: chemical reactivity; stereochemistry; introduction to the spectroscopic identification of compounds; reaction mechanisms; and synthetic methods. The study of these mechanisms and methods provides an understanding of chemical processes and reactivity applicable in designed and living systems. The practical component is aimed at developing laboratory skills and deductive reasoning; it comprises syntheses of various classes of compounds and identification of unknown compounds by chemical and spectroscopic means.

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Good Health and Well Being; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Predict the relative reactivity of a series of related compounds
  • ULO2: Assess the risks and hazards associated with working in a synthetic laboratory environment
  • ULO3: Plan and carry out different types of synthetic reactions: specifically, perform functional group transformations to change one molecule into another and use carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, carbon-oxygen, and metal-based bond forming reactions to construct larger molecules in a laboratory setting with confidence in a safe and efficient manner 
  • ULO4: Use spectroscopic information to deduce the structure of simple organic and inorganic molecules
  • ULO5: Purify organic and inorganic compounds using basic synthetic techniques
  • ULO6: Write a report in a scientific format

General Assessment Information

To pass this unit you must:

  • Achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%, and
  • Actively participate in all hurdle activities and pass the hurdle

 

Experiential task/Lab book portfolio (Hurdle)

These lab experiments have interconnected learning outcomes and demonstrate the necessary techniques and skills essential to understanding chemical principles and practicing chemistry safely. A pass in this assessment is required for passing this unit.

The student is required to participate in all practical sessions and allowed no more than one missed practical without a medical certificate. The student is required to perform the experiments according to instructions and complete the lab book portfolio satisfactorily.

Missing two or more practicals, even with disruption-based special approvals, means that the learning outcomes of this hurdle requirement have not been met. In this case, the student must consult with the unit convenors for options. Otherwise, a fail mark will result from this hurdle and ultimately a fail mark for the unit.

Details on what is expected for assessment of this component are provided in the laboratory manual/notes (see the iLearn website). As the portfolio contains strict work-health-safety (WHS) compliance check deadlines, you must go through the manual/information on iLearn to ensure that you meet those WHS deadlines for permission into the lab to perform the experiments and pass the hurdle. The due date extension only applies to some components of the portfolio, and the details of late penalty for those components are available on iLearn (i.e. details on the percentage of marks lost per day according to policy). The mark of this portfolio will reflect the level of practical performance and safety/laboratory techniques seen within the laboratory as well as clear presentation, interpretation of results and addressing of specific questions within post-lab exercises/writing up.

 

Problem-based task/Problem solving skills

There will be an in-class 50-minute test (open book) on these skills in week 5 (covering weeks 1-4 material, see the iLearn website for details on the due date and options for a missed test). There will be no make-up option for this test.

 

Examination/Final examination

A comprehensive final exam (close book) is scheduled in the exam period. Please see the iLearn website for details.

Online or in-class learning activities as well as exams or tests must be undertaken at the time indicated in the unit guide or provided on iLearn. A grace period of 1-hour will be provided to students who experience a technical/IT concern for submissions online. Should some of these activities/tests be late or missed due to illness or misadventure, students may apply for a Special Consideration approval for options (see the policy and procedure section on Special Consideration). For assessments that are eligible for automatic short extension (details on iLearn), you can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Lab book portfolio 30% Yes see iLearn for details Individual Yes Open
Problem solving skills 20% No see iLearn for details Individual Yes Open
Final Examination 50% No Exam Period Individual No Observed

Lab book portfolio

Assessment Type 1: Experiential task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: see iLearn for details
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Experimental skills are essential to understanding chemical principles and practicing chemistry safely. You will maintain and submit a lab book portfolio for documenting your laboratory activities and data processing, with safety compliance. This assessment ensures learning relevant to synthetic skills with safety compliance as well as professional reporting and communication.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Predict the relative reactivity of a series of related compounds
  • Assess the risks and hazards associated with working in a synthetic laboratory environment
  • Plan and carry out different types of synthetic reactions: specifically, perform functional group transformations to change one molecule into another and use carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen, carbon-oxygen, and metal-based bond forming reactions to construct larger molecules in a laboratory setting with confidence in a safe and efficient manner 
  • Use spectroscopic information to deduce the structure of simple organic and inorganic molecules
  • Purify organic and inorganic compounds using basic synthetic techniques
  • Write a report in a scientific format

Problem solving skills

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 8 hours
Due: see iLearn for details
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Integrated and logical thinking from chemical reactivity principles is critical to solving problems in synthesis. You will apply synthetic concepts, language, reactivity rules, and structural formalisms in solving synthetic problems with clear presentation of solutions. This assessment ensures successful learning of problem solving and presentation skills required for chemical synthesis.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Predict the relative reactivity of a series of related compounds
  • Use spectroscopic information to deduce the structure of simple organic and inorganic molecules

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

The final exam is designed to address specific and comprehensive understanding of all the topics presented within the course and to show that the knowledge obtained can be applied to solving new problems.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Predict the relative reactivity of a series of related compounds
  • Use spectroscopic information to deduce the structure of simple organic and inorganic molecules

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Recommended Texts and/or Materials

Please see details on the unit's iLearn website.

“Organic Chemistry”, 9th Edition (2016) by John McMurry; Cengage Learning (recommended)*

“Organic Chemistry – Study Guide and Solutions Manual”, 9th Edition (2016) by Susan McMurry; Cengage Learning (recommended)*

“Pushing Electrons. A Guide for Students in Organic Chemistry”, 4th Edition (2014) by Daniel P. Weeks, Cengage Learning (recommended)*

Inorganic Chemistry by Gary L. Miessler, Paul J. Fischer and Donald A. Tarr, 5th Edition, (2014) Pearson (recommended)*

“Introduction to Solid State Chemistry” by Smart and Moore, 4th Edition (2012) Taylor and Francis (recommended)*

*Textbooks for this unit can be purchased online from Booktopia.

Copies of the texts are also available in the library. Please see the unit's iLearn website for further details such as Unit Schedule/Week 1 and methods of communication.

 

Please regularly check your iLearn page as well as class announcements for detailed information, updates, and efficient ways of communication.

Active participation in lecture classes and SGTAs is ESSENTIAL to your success in this unit. These are not to be viewed as traditional “lectures” for passive information uptake but used to emphasise key points and concepts with relevant examples with your active participation. Studying the material to be covered BEFORE coming to a lecture class is particularly productive in maximising the learning outcomes in class. Historically, non-participation has a much more deleterious effect that is ultimately reflected in exam performances.

Circumstances such as routine demands of employment/financial need or extra-curricular activities, routine family problems, and difficulties adjusting to university life and stress associated with the demands of academic work, are not unforeseeable circumstances beyond your control and should not be used as an excuse to miss a class or SGTA. Most of the class material will be available on the unit website, while there will be some provided in class. While recorded lectures are available in this unit, they must not be used in place of active class participation but rather serve as useful resources for reviewing the content.

SGTAs are critical for effective learning with demonstrations of how to solve problems in order to do well in tests/exams. There are no SGTAs in week 1. Regular attendance of a SGTA is key to keeping up with the unit content.

Practicals are compulsory and must be done on-campus. The detailed lab practical notes/schedule is provided through the unit's iLearn website. The class is divided into two groups (Group A and Group B) for attending the practicals/ workshops according to Group A Schedule and Group B Schedule (on iLearn). Once you have chosen your group (A or B) and a practical session, you will attend the same session slot for the entire semester.

Participation in the practicals is compulsory, and no make-up labs will be available. Failure to attend more than once without a special consideration approval will result in being failed. There are no practicals in the 1st week. The students are to use the 1st week practical time to plan and prepare for general practical requirements such as performing risk assessments of experiments and safety review. Please see iLearn instructions for details. 

Some of the practical sessions will be used as workshops for problem solving with more independence as well as learning how to communicate the chemistry, and your attendance and active participation in these sessions is essential (more details on iLearn). The class is divided into two groups (Group A and Group B) for attending the workshops (similar to the practicals) according to Group A Schedule and Group B Schedule. Students are expected to attempt the questions prior to attending and bring in all relevant course notes and textbooks for the workshops.

Unit Schedule

Please visit the iLearn website for details.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2026.03 of the Handbook