Aims

Application of the logic of general and organic chemistry to commercial drugs and pharmaceutical preparations.

Main themes

The main themes of this course are :
(i) Molecular formulas, molecular mass, doses, dilutions.
(ii) Structural formulas of drugs : organic functions, isomerism, stereoisomerism, acid-base properties, water solubility, partition coefficient.
(iii) Biopharmaceuticals : peptides and carbohydrates.
(iv) Basic chemical reactivity of drugs and prodrugs.

Content and teaching methods

The activity is a tutoring aimed to familiarize the students with the molecular structures and the structure-properties relationships of the medicinal specialities of the belgian market. The developed themes are : the structure, chemical functions, isomery and stereoisomery of the specialities in question, their acid-base properties in relation with their solubilities and hydrophobicity (link between molecular structure and log P), a first contact with active peptides, peptidomimetics and glycoconjugates, worked examples of the reaction of key functions with water as a function of pH.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisites :
Sufficient knowledge of French.
(i) when starting : having followed the MD1003 course "Chimie générale et minerale".
(ii) during the 2nd semester : following in parallel the MD1004 course "Chimie organique".

Evaluation : written examination measuring problem solving capabilities.

Other credits in programs