Syllabus for Chemistry 852 - Spring 2022 (PDF version)

Professor Robert E. Maleczka, Jr.  
phone: 353-0834
email: maleczka@msu.edu 
zoom office hours: by appointment

            1. Your undergraduate organic text.

            2.   George S. Zweifel, Michael H. Nantz, and Peter Somfai, Modern Organic Synthesis: An Introduction, 2017, Wiley.  ISBN-978-1-119-08653-6.

            3.   Paul Wyatt & Stuart Warren, Organic Synthesis: Strategy and Control, Wiley, 2007.  ISBN-978-0-470-92963-5.

            4.   K. C. Nicolaou & E. J. Sorensen, Classics in Total Synthesis, Targets, Strategies, Methods, VCH, 1996.  ISBN-3-527-29231-4. (On reserve in the MSU library)

            5.   The ACS Organic Division recently released a new resource for organic chemists: https://organicchemistrydata.org/.  The Reich Collection of Resources includes ~700 Total Syntheses searchable and categorized by compound name, named reactions used, chemoselectivity, rings formed, reaction types, and reagents used, etc.; a comprehensive Topics in NMR database, and information on pKa tables, electron pushing, A-values, nomenclature, organometallic chemistry, etc.

Announcements:  Here you will find important information, course up-dates, and additional materials.  Please check frequently as items will be placed there as the course progresses.

Classic Syntheses (50 points):

Total Synthesis (100 pts):

Total Synthesis Schedule: 

First Oral Report (10 pts): Presented April 11 starting at 6 pm.

Written Report: (40 pts):  An electronic copy is due at 6 pm Monday April 11

Final Oral Report (50 pts):  Presented over three evenings  Monday April 25, Tuesday April 26, and Wednesday April 27, starting at 6 pm each night.  These meetings are tentatively scheduled to take place in-person in room 136 (subject to change).  Electronic copies (PDF) of all presentations are due at 6 pm on April 25.  Those giving their oral report on April 26 or 27 are not to present an edited version of what was handed in on April 25.  Doing so will result in a 0 for the assignment.

Grading Scheme:

Grade Scale (I reserve the right to adjust this scale downward):

        Grade                    pts

        4.0                      >400

        3.5                300–400

        3.0                200–299

        2.5                150–199

Homework:  Homework may be assigned periodically, but will not be considered directly in the grading of the course.

Supplemental Material:  Old exams are available. You may also find Professor Reusch's Virtual Textbook of Organic Chemistry helpful. Furthermore, please check the "announcements" link on the 852 web page frequently as important information, course up-dates, and additional materials will be placed there as the course progresses.

Class Conduct:  Professional, courteous, and ethical conduct is expected of all students at all times.  Likewise, diversity among students should be respected.  Finally, please turn off your cell phones before entering the classroom.

Policy on Cheating:  In order to discourage cheating, the instructor may make copies of some pages of some exams. Any student caught cheating will receive a grade of 0.0 for that test. In addition, a letter describing the incident will be sent to the chairperson of the Chemistry department, as well as that student's Department Chair, College Dean, and each memeber of the student's Ph.D. committee.

COVID-19 Information:  The novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic.  The COVID-19 virus is extremely contagious and is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person contact.  The COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented public health crisis that has impacted every facet of life, including the classroom environment.  The most up to date information from MSU is available at: https://msu.edu/together-we-will/covid19-guidance/.

Instructional format: In response to omicron, instruction will be by zoom throughout the month of January.  Come February, significant changes in how we conduct in-person classes may be on the horizon.  Should in classroom attendance be impacted by COVID-19, modifications may be made to the class format and/or instructor.  Similarly, were MSU to halt in-person graduate study modifications will be made to the class format. 

Face coverings: Face coverings must be worn by everyone (including all faculty, staff, students, vendors, and visitors) indoors while on property owned or governed by MSU and while participating in MSU-related or MSU-sponsored activities.  Thus, unless you have a University issued exemption, you must wear a face covering in class. This face covering must cover your mouth and nose.

Physical distancing: As best as our room assignment allows, we will be practicing physical distancing in the classroom.  Thus, all students should attempt to maintain at least six feet distance between themselves and others (excluding those with whom they live).  This applies to all aspects of the classroom setting, including seating arrangements, informal conversations, and dialogue between faculty and students.

Exposure to COVID-19:  If a student is exposed to someone who is ill or has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, they will stay home and follow MSU guidelines (see below) to determine what steps should be taken.  Students who miss assignments or exams will have their final pro-rated.  Cases of extended absence will be handled on an individual basis

Self-Monitoring: Students will self-monitor for flu-like symptoms (for example, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever, sore throat or loss of taste or smell). If a student experiences any flu-like symptoms, they will stay home and follow MSU guidelines (see below) to determine what steps should be taken.

Personal Hygiene. All students must maintain proper hygiene and health practices, including:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water or, if soap is unavailable, using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Routinely cleaning and sanitizing living spaces and/or workspace
• Using the bend of the elbow or shoulder to shield a cough or sneeze
• Refraining from shaking hands

Adherence to Signage and Instructions: Students will (a) look for instructional signs posted by MSU or public health authorities, (b) observe instructions from MSU or public health authorities that are emailed to my “msu.edu” account, and (c) follow those instructions.

Compliance and reporting: Those who come to MSU facilities must commit to the personal responsibility necessary for us to remain as safe as possible, including following the specific guidelines outlined in this syllabus and provided by MSU more broadly (see below). There may be times when action will be necessary to reinforce expectations. If you do not wear appropriate face coverings (see MSU’s guidelines), do not wear your face covering appropriately (i.e., over your mouth and nose), or do not adhere to physical distancing guidelines (i.e., six feet apart), you will be asked to correct the situation or leave the facility. In addition, MSU will utilize the processes already in place to respond to any issues of noncompliance with standards established for the health and safety of our community. For classroom disruptions or issues, the responses and processes that have been used previously remain the first line of action. If necessary, the student conduct system will be the avenue used to adjudicate student disciplinary situations.

Additional COVID-19 information. See https://msu.edu/together-we-will/keeping-spartans-safe/ for details about these new policies and procedures and see https://ehs.msu.edu/_assets/docs/fact-sheets/cloth-face-covering-fact-sheet.pdf for more details about the cloth face coverings guidelines.

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last updated 02/28/2022 by REM