Master Organic Retrosynthesis: A 12-Week Course Guide by Prof. Samik Nanda
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 115 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Chemistry |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 26 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Art of Molecular Construction: A Guide to Organic Retrosynthesis
Organic synthesis, the deliberate construction of complex molecules, stands as one of the most challenging and creative frontiers in chemical science. For students and researchers aiming to excel in competitive exams or embark on a research career, mastering the logic behind synthesis is paramount. This article serves as a detailed study guide for the comprehensive course “A Study Guide In Organic Retrosynthesis: Problem Solving Approach”, instructed by Prof. Samik Nanda of IIT Kharagpur.
About the Course & Instructor
Prof. Samik Nanda brings a wealth of expertise to this course. After completing his PhD in “asymmetric synthesis with the help of enzymes,” he pursued an independent research career focused on the asymmetric total synthesis of natural products. For over a decade, his research group has centered on “asymmetric synthesis,” exploring established protocols and developing novel in-house methods to create enantiopure organic molecules.
This 12-week course is designed for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students. It employs a unique, interactive problem/puzzle-solving approach to demystify organic synthesis, helping students not only learn but also excel in competitive examinations.
Who Should Take This Course?
- Intended Audience: Students of Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, and related disciplines.
- Prerequisites: A solid foundation in Basic Organic Chemistry and Stereochemistry is required.
- Industry Support: The skills taught are highly valued in the Pharmaceutical Industry, where designing synthetic routes to new drug molecules is a core activity.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is meticulously structured to build your retrosynthetic thinking from the ground up.
Weeks 1-3: Laying the Foundation
- Week 1: Introduction to the importance of organic synthesis, its historical context, and developing a creative “visual dialogue” with target molecules.
- Week 2: Core principles of retrosynthetic disconnection, including transform-based and substrate-based strategies.
- Week 3: Functional group and mechanism-based strategies, introducing concepts like redundant functionality and biomimetic synthesis.
Weeks 4-6: Incorporating Complexity & Stereochemistry
- Week 4: Leveraging symmetry (local and pseudo) in synthetic planning for efficient routes.
- Week 5: Crucial stereochemical strategies for creating chiral centers: resolution, desymmetrization, the chiron approach, and more.
- Week 6: Advanced case studies using enantiodivergent and enantioconvergent approaches (e.g., meso-trick, C2-trick).
Weeks 7-9: Advanced Tools and Concepts
- Week 7: Mastering synthetic equivalents (acyl anions, homoenolates) and powerful techniques like the Linchpin strategy.
- Week 8: Utilizing fragmentation reactions and molecular rearrangements in synthesis.
- Week 9: Applying conformational analysis (A1,2/A1,3 strain) and Baldwin’s rules for successful cyclizations.
Weeks 10-12: Execution & Grand Applications
- Week 10: The practical art of selecting and using protecting groups.
- Week 11: A survey of essential name reactions across various strategic categories (substitution, redox, coupling, cyclization).
- Week 12: Culmination in the total synthesis of iconic natural products like Longifolene, Taxol, and Epothilone, analyzing the masterful strategies of chemists like Corey, Nicolaou, and Curran.
Essential Reference Books
To complement the course material, Prof. Nanda recommends the following seminal texts and resources:
| Book Title | Author(s) |
|---|---|
| The Logic of Chemical Synthesis | E. J. Corey and X.M. Cheng |
| Organic Synthesis: Strategy and Control | Paul Wyatt and Stuart Warren |
| Modern Organic Synthesis | G. S. Zweifel, M. H. Nantz, and P. Somfai |
| Strategic Applications of Named Reactions | L. Kurti and B. Czako |
| Online Resource: www.synarchive.com | For a comprehensive list of name reactions |
Why This Course is Invaluable
This course moves beyond memorization of reactions. It trains you in the problem-solving mindset of a synthetic chemist. By learning to think backwards from a target molecule using retrosynthetic analysis, you develop the ability to design feasible, elegant, and innovative synthetic routes. This skill set is directly applicable to cutting-edge research in total synthesis and drug discovery, making it an indispensable part of a modern chemist's education. Embrace this structured, 12-week journey to transform your understanding of how molecules are built.
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