To mechanistically understand an important series of synthetic transformations  and apply them in synthesis. 
To understand important aspects of organic molecules such as their pKa’s, stereochemistry, isomers, conformation and configurations.
To be able to read and understand a literature article that involves chemistry covered in the course.  
To write a paper on this article reflecting this knowledge as well as the main goals of the paper and the role of organic chemistry in it.  

In this course the arsenal of useful synthetic reactions will be extended to produce a well-stocked toolbox that can be applied in many areas of chemistry in which synthesis plays a role. The reactions will be applied and illustrated with the use of publishes syntheses. They will be placed within a modern context. The reaction mechanisms will be discussed. 
 
The course will feature the following chemical reactions and methods: 
 
- The chemistry of Grignard and alkyl lithium compounds and their cuprate derivatives. Stereochemistry (isomer types, nomenclature, resolution)
- Conjugate addition, olefination (Wittig, Horner/Wadsworth/Emmons), rearrangements (Bayer-Villiger, Beckman, Wolf, Curtius), metathesis
- Applications of the organic chemistry of S, B, Si and Sn
- Transition metal catalyzed coupling reactions (Heck, Stille, Suzuki, Sonogashira, Trost-Tsuji, Buchwald/Hartwig)
- Organic chemistry aspects of carbohydrates
- Basic principles of carbohydrate synthesis
- Cylization reactions (e.g. Baldwin's rules)
- Synthesis and properties (pKa, reactivity) of important heterocylic compounds, including CuAAC (`click chemistry')