M1 - Biomolecular chemistry (BM)

Fluorinated biomolecules. Current developments in fluorinated molecules. Fluorination methods: nucleophilic or electrophilic mono-fluorination, introduction of difluoromethyl or trifluoromethyl groups. Contribution of fluorine atoms to the activity of these compounds. Examples of the synthesis of fluorinated compounds used as antitumoral agents, antiviral agents, antidepressants, anxiolytics, anti-inflammatories, etc.

Phosphorus biomolecules. Structure, nomenclature, reactivity, structural analysis and applications.

A number of synthesis routes for compounds in each of the families covered will be discussed, highlighting unconventional activation methods where appropriate. Biomedical applications will be targeted, as well as other applications in agrochemistry, optoelectronics, nanomaterials, etc.

Hourly volumes* :

CM: 15 h (7.5h Fluorinated biomolecules and 7.5h Phosphorus biomolecules)

TD: 5 h

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This course provides basic knowledge and cross-disciplinary skills in the field of colloids and interfaces, which are common to the various courses in the Chemistry Master's program (Chemistry of Materials, Separative Chemistry, Materials and Processes, ICAP Cosmetics Engineering, Chemistry of Biomolecules). It is also offered to international students enrolled in the SFRI program at the University of Montpellier, where the course is taught in English. An introductory presentation covering the basic concepts and notions will enable students to discover and better understand the main physico-chemical properties of colloidal dispersions, associative colloids and solutions of macromolecules, as well as the parameters and phenomena governing stability in colloidal dispersions and mixed solution-colloid systems. This will be followed by interdisciplinary hands-on teaching based on the flipped classroom principle, to help students build and deepen their knowledge through individual and group analysis of various applications of colloidal and interfacial phenomena and systems.

Hourly volumes* :

CM: 7

TD : 13

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This course is designed to teach liquid and gas chromatography.

Hourly volumes* :

            CM :15h

            TD: 5h

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Knowledge of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques with electron impact ionization and quadrupole mass analyzer for the analysis of volatile organic molecules.

1) GC-MS analysis of volatile organic compounds :

• Electron impact ionization (EI) techniques
• Chemical ionization (CI) techniques
• Quadrupole (Q) analysis techniques
• GC/MS coupling

2) Applications in organic chemistry analysis and characterization of volatile samples.

Hourly volumes* :

CM: 15 H

TD: 5 H

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Knowledge of the main polymer families used in the biomedical field.

1) Specificity of polymers for biomedical applications and the main polymer families used

2) Description of application families

3) Discussion of the concept of synthesis and the relationship between structure/properties and specifications

Hourly volumes* :

CM: 15 H

TD: 5 H

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This course deals concisely and systematically with all aspects of heterocycle chemistry, from nomenclature to applications such as the principles of action of medicines, toxins or drugs, pigments, food colorants etc...

Hourly volumes* :

CM: 15 H

TD: 5 H

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Natural products play a major role in biomolecular chemistry. They represent an important source of bioactive compounds for medicinal chemistry. This teaching unit provides a comprehensive overview of secondary metabolism and the origin of natural products from plants. Emphasis will be placed on the organic chemistry behind the various biotransformations that occur during the biosynthesis of each major class of molecules. A mechanistic approach will be used to understand the chemical basis of each transformation.

Hourly volumes* :

CM: 13 

TD : 7

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RMN :

Liquid-phase NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) is an essential spectroscopic analysis method for chemists, enabling them to determine the structure of small organic molecules or macromolecules in solution, to study dynamic phenomena... The aim of this course is to understand the phenomena involved in this technique and to relate them to the different structural information accessible by this method. The aim is to be able to exploit the spectral data obtained from this analysis to elucidate the structure and stereochemistry of organic molecules or polymer structures, or to monitor reactions.

X-ray diffraction :

X-ray diffraction is a powerful, non-destructive technique not only for characterizing the crystalline structure of materials, but also for providing crystallographic and structural information such as lattice parameters and atomic positions. This includes all crystallized materials such as ceramics, materials for the storage and transformation of energy and information, as well as organic molecules and metal complexes (interatomic distances and angles, stereochemistry (chirality, stereoisomerism...), intra- and intermolecular bonds...). The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to crystallography and diffraction, with the aim of understanding the operation and characteristics of an X-ray diffractometer, as well as interpreting diffraction patterns (structural analysis, lattice parameters).

Hourly volumes* :

            CM: 10

            TD : 10

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Knowledge of the latest mass spectrometry techniques for the qualitative analysis of organic molecules and biomolecules.

1) Description of fundamental principles (Ion Science and Technology) :

- Ionization techniques

- Analysis techniques

- Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)

- LC/MS and LC/MS/MS couplings

2) Application in biomolecule analysis and organic chemistry reaction monitoring.

Hourly volumes* :

CM: 15 H

TD: 5 H

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This course covers the fundamental concepts and practical tools of chemometrics through : - statistical data analysis ;

• probability laws ;
• confidence interval estimation ;
• parametric and non-parametric tests.

An introduction to experimental design will be offered at the end of the module.

Hourly volumes* :

CM: 7h

TD: 13h

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The first part of the course introduces the fundamentals of transition metal organometallic chemistry. It begins with a description of the Metal-C bond, enabling us to understand its stability and chemical reactivity. Secondly, the power of this synthesis tool for the formation of C-H, C-C, etc. bonds will be demonstrated. Examples of their applications in various fields will enable the acquisition of these reactions and their fields of application: fine chemistry, catalytic transformations of industrial importance, synthesis of natural products, preparation of materials.

The second part of this course is dedicated to hetero-element chemistry, focusing on the elements Silicon, Tin and Boron. The aim of this part is to present the various methods for preparing boron-, tin- and silicon-based reagents, as well as the main transformations carried out with these compounds, with applications in organic synthesis and materials synthesis.

CM: 13 H 

TD: 7 H

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This teaching unit is dedicated to deepening the foundations of organic chemistry and coordination chemistry covered in L3, and acquiring notions linked to molecular engineering and molecular chemistry. The course comprises lectures and tutorials. Students will work in advance of certain lectures and tutorials, with course documents provided, to ensure that the lectures and tutorials enable them to play a full part in the course, understand the concepts presented and the skills to be acquired. A progression program and activities will be proposed. For students who have not seen the basics of coordination chemistry and organic chemistry, documents will be made available.

Coordination chemistry: The course will cover various aspects of transition metal and lanthanide complexes, molecular materials (polynuclear complexes and coordination polymers with extended structures (MOFs, etc.)), their properties and applications. Structural aspects, bonding description, properties, as well as stability and reactivity aspects will be covered. Emphasis will be placed on the complexation effect and stability of metal, lanthanide and actinide complexes with certain ligands, with a view to applications in the biomedical field (imaging and therapy), decontamination (nuclear field), etc. The electronic (relaxivity, magnetism) and optical (absorption, luminescence) properties of these complexes will be discussed and put into the context of applications in various fields, such as imaging, electronics, sensors, etc.

Organic Chemistry: This course builds on the knowledge acquired in the Bachelor's degree, and will involve a reasoned study of the main reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry, providing a common foundation for all students in the Chemistry Master's program. The main processes (substitution, addition, elimination, transposition...) and their essential characteristics and applications to mechanistic sequences will be examined. The course is designed to provide students with general tools for analyzing mechanisms (ionic, radical, concerted) in order to grasp their variety.

Hourly volumes* :

CM: 13 H

TD: 7 H

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The professional project bridges the gap between traditional practical work and the internship in a laboratory or company. It is carried out in the form of a tutored project, which puts students in a professional situation through collaborative (group) work based on the realization of a project in response to a problem set by a company, community, association or academic. It is part of the Chemistry Master's core curriculum, and is carried out under the responsibility of a member of the teaching team (academic or industrial). Carried out throughout the semester, this project aims to link and anchor the knowledge and know-how acquired during the Bachelor's degree and the early Master's program, through a professional setting. These situations will be directly linked to the Master's course chosen by the students. In addition to their chemistry-disciplinary skills, students will also acquire the interpersonal, organizational and communication skills intrinsically linked to project management, which will equip them for their future professional life.

Responding to a research problem: example of the synthesis of new phosphorescent materials.

Hourly volumes* :

CM: 5h

TD: 5h

Practical work: 40h

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The internship in semester 8 of the Master 1 Chemistry of Biomolecules is designed to familiarize students with research careers in life chemistry. Students will have the opportunity to carry out this introductory research internship in academic or private laboratories. Subject to prior approval by the teaching staff (internship subject in line with the Master's courses and suitable environment/means), students can look for a host team in an academic environment in the University of Montpellier's Chemistry Pole institutes (IBMM, ICGM, etc.), in academic laboratories outside the University of Montpellier (in France or abroad) or in the private sector (chemical, pharmaceutical and agri-food industries, biotechnology laboratories, etc.).

Fieldwork: 2 to 4 months' internship

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Nucleosides are the basic building blocks of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). As such, they play an essential role in many biological processes. In this course, the structure and biological role of natural nucleosides will be presented. It will also cover the main routes to synthesis and characterization of these compounds and their analogues (glycosylation reactions, structural modifications of the furanose ring, substitution and introduction of heteroatoms, configuration inversion, etc.). The use of nucleoside analogues in the treatment of viral pathologies and cancers will also be addressed.

Hourly volumes* :

WC: 3 p.m.

TD: 5 h

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This teaching unit is shared with MI students in the Chemistry Master's courses: ICAP P1, ICAP P2, MAT P1, MAT P2, BM (semester S2). The following topics will be covered:

• The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry and units of measurement in Green Chemistry ;
• Synthesis strategies for sustainable chemistry ;
• Alternative or eco-compatible solvents for synthesis and extraction;
• Non-conventional activation techniques and applications.

CM: 13

TD: 7 H

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The aim of the medicinal chemistry course is to introduce students to the key stages in the process of developing molecules with biological activity. In particular, a description of the interactions involved, the notion of pharmocophores, bio-isosteria, etc., as well as structure-activity relationship studies will be covered, enabling students to envisage appropriate strategies and structural modifications.

Hourly volumes* :

WC: 3 p.m.

TD: 5 h

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After a general introduction to the concepts of prochirality and stereochemistry, this course will present the tools needed to master diastereoselective and enantioselective syntheses. The different approaches will be presented in a detailed and rational manner. Examples of industrial syntheses of chiral bioactive molecules will be discussed.

Hourly volumes* :

CM: 15 H

TD: 5 H

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This course covers synthetic methods for obtaining enantiopure amino acids, as well as the use of chiral amino acids for the synthesis of other enantiopure compounds.

These amino acids are the building blocks of peptides. The different physico-chemical properties induced by the nature of these amino acids will enable us to define strategies for the synthesis and characterization of peptides of interest.

Hourly volumes* :

CM: 15 H

TD: 5 H

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The following topics will be covered:

- Biobased solvents

- Biomass fuels

- Antioxidants derived from lignin

- Metal catalysts from plants

- Surfactants obtained from renewable resources

- Examples of industrial applications of enzymatic synthesis

Hourly volumes* :

CM: 15

TD : 5

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In small groups or on a one-to-one basis, this course will cover pedagogical tools and best practices relating to communication and professional integration, through :

• assessments of knowledge, skills, competencies, attitudes and motivations;
• awareness of job search techniques ;
• CV and cover letter writing ;
• rules of oral and written communication ;
• mock job interviews.

Students will be able to take part in role-playing exercises directly linked to the sectors targeted by their career paths.

Practical work: 20h

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General presentation of the most commonly used calculation and modelling methods in the field of solid state chemistry according to the spatial and temporal scales that can be studied with them:

(1) Quantum calculations (Hartree Fock, Post-Hartree Fock methods, DFT),

(2) Force-field modeling (atomistic and coarse-grained),

(3) Hybrid QMM and AACG modeling.

Overview of different calculation techniques: static and optimization calculations, molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo.

The UE will include lectures and practical work. Two practical modeling exercises will be offered: modeling techniques in classical mechanics and quantum calculations.

            CM: 11H

            TD : 9H

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Hybrid" materials are a new family of materials, combining organic ligands with inorganic entities, and are increasingly being studied at both fundamental and application levels.

In this course, two main categories of hybrid materials will be discussed:

• Coordination Networks and Metal-Organic Frameworks
• Organosilicon/carbon materials

CM: 10 h

TD: 10 h

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This teaching unit is dedicated to the presentation of inorganic materials and nanomaterials for use in the biomedical field (imaging, therapy, implants). It builds on the knowledge acquired in UE HAC930C (Development of materials for health). The aim is to develop health issues and inorganic materials and nanomaterials in diagnostics, therapy and wellness. Strategies for developing the inorganic materials and nanomaterials of the future based on therapeutics and multifunctionality, and intelligent materials will also be addressed.

The course comprises lectures and tutorials. Students will be offered a group project on the (theoretical) study of an inorganic material or nanomaterials for health.    

CM: 11

 TD : 9

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The teaching of the Organic Synthesis Strategies and Tools module focuses on the development of strategies for the elaboration of molecules, whether or not derived from the natural environment, using the tools of organic chemistry.

Hourly volumes* :

CM: 15 H

TD: 5 H

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