CHEM 1152 Survey of Chemistry II: Syllabus and Study Guide

Course Overview

Introduction

This course, CHEM 1152 Survey of Chemistry II, is designed for students in STEM fields and covers foundational topics in General, Organic, and Biological (GOB) Chemistry. The curriculum emphasizes the structure, properties, and reactions of organic and biological molecules, with applications to health and life sciences.

• Course Goals: Develop scientific reasoning, laboratory skills, and understanding of chemical principles relevant to biological systems.

• Textbook: General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry: Structures of Life by K. K. Kumo & G. Timberlake.

Course Topics and Learning Outcomes

Unit 1: Organic Chemistry Fundamentals

Saturated Hydrocarbons

Saturated hydrocarbons are organic compounds containing only single bonds between carbon atoms. They are also known as alkanes.

• Definition: Hydrocarbons with only single C–C bonds (alkanes).

• General Formula: $C_nH_{2n+2}$

• Naming: Use IUPAC rules to name straight-chain and branched alkanes.

• Physical Properties: Nonpolar, low solubility in water, increasing boiling point with molecular size.

• Structural Isomerism: Isomers differ in the connectivity of carbon atoms.

• Cycloalkanes: Saturated hydrocarbons forming rings; general formula $C_nH_{2n}$.

• Example: Methane ($CH_4$), ethane ($C_2H_6$), cyclohexane ($C_6H_{12}$).

Unsaturated and Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Unsaturated hydrocarbons contain double or triple bonds, while aromatic hydrocarbons have conjugated ring systems.

• Alkenes: Contain at least one C=C double bond. General formula: $C_nH_{2n}$.

• Alkynes: Contain at least one C≡C triple bond. General formula: $C_nH_{2n-2}$.

• Aromatic Compounds: Contain benzene rings; exhibit resonance stabilization.

• Physical Properties: Generally nonpolar, variable boiling points.

• Reactivity: Addition reactions for alkenes/alkynes; substitution for aromatics.

• Example: Ethene ($C_2H_4$), ethyne ($C_2H_2$), benzene ($C_6H_6$).

Alcohols, Thiols, Phenols, and Ethers

These functional groups are common in organic molecules and have distinct chemical properties.

• Alcohols: Contain an –OH group. Example: Ethanol ($C_2H_5OH$).

• Thiols: Contain an –SH group. Example: Methanethiol ($CH_3SH$).

• Phenols: Aromatic alcohols. Example: Phenol ($C_6H_5OH$).

• Ethers: Contain an R–O–R' linkage. Example: Diethyl ether ($C_2H_5OC_2H_5$).

• Physical Properties: Alcohols are polar and can hydrogen bond; ethers are less polar.

• Reactions: Alcohols undergo dehydration, oxidation, and substitution.

Unit 2: Carbonyl Compounds and Carboxylic Acids

Aldehydes and Ketones

Carbonyl compounds are characterized by the C=O functional group.

• Aldehydes: Carbonyl group at the end of a carbon chain. Example: Formaldehyde ($HCHO$).

• Ketones: Carbonyl group within the carbon chain. Example: Acetone ($CH_3COCH_3$).

• Naming: Use IUPAC rules for aldehydes and ketones.

• Reactions: Oxidation, reduction, nucleophilic addition.

Carboxylic Acids and Esters

Carboxylic acids contain the –COOH group; esters are derived from acids and alcohols.

• Carboxylic Acids: Example: Acetic acid ($CH_3COOH$).

• Esters: Example: Ethyl acetate ($CH_3COOCH_2CH_3$).

• Physical Properties: Carboxylic acids are polar and can hydrogen bond; esters are less polar.

• Reactions: Esterification, hydrolysis.

Amines and Amides

Amines are derivatives of ammonia; amides are derived from carboxylic acids and amines.

• Amines: Contain –NH2, –NHR, or –NR2 groups.

• Amides: Contain –CONH2 group.

• Physical Properties: Amines are basic; amides are less basic and more stable.

• Reactions: Amines undergo alkylation; amides undergo hydrolysis.

Stereochemistry

Stereochemistry studies the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules.

• Chirality: Molecules with non-superimposable mirror images (enantiomers).

• Optical Activity: Chiral molecules rotate plane-polarized light.

• Fischer Projections: Used to represent stereochemistry in sugars and amino acids.

Unit 3: Biomolecules

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones, or compounds that yield such molecules on hydrolysis.

• Monosaccharides: Simple sugars (e.g., glucose, fructose).

• Disaccharides: Two monosaccharides linked (e.g., sucrose, lactose).

• Polysaccharides: Long chains (e.g., starch, cellulose, glycogen).

• Ring Structures: Haworth projections show cyclic forms.

• Glycosidic Bonds: Link monosaccharides in disaccharides and polysaccharides.

Lipids

Lipids are hydrophobic biomolecules including fats, oils, phospholipids, and steroids.

• Fatty Acids: Saturated (no double bonds) and unsaturated (one or more double bonds).

• Triglycerides: Esters of glycerol and three fatty acids.

• Phospholipids: Major component of cell membranes.

• Steroids: Four fused ring structure (e.g., cholesterol).

• Functions: Energy storage, membrane structure, signaling.

Proteins

Proteins are polymers of amino acids and perform diverse biological functions.

• Amino Acids: 20 standard types; classified as polar, nonpolar, acidic, or basic.

• Peptide Bonds: Link amino acids in proteins.

• Protein Structure: Primary (sequence), secondary (α-helix, β-sheet), tertiary (3D folding), quaternary (multiple polypeptides).

• Denaturation: Loss of structure due to heat, pH, or chemicals.

Enzymes

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

• Active Site: Region where substrate binds and reaction occurs.

• Specificity: Enzymes are specific for their substrates.

• Factors Affecting Activity: Temperature, pH, inhibitors, and activators.

• Example: Amylase catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch.

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids store and transmit genetic information.

• DNA: Double helix structure; stores genetic code.

• RNA: Single-stranded; involved in protein synthesis.

• Nucleotides: Building blocks composed of a sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base.

• Protein Synthesis: Transcription (DNA to RNA) and translation (RNA to protein).

Grading and Course Policies

Grading Breakdown

Component	Percentage
Exams (4 of 6)	50%
Quizzes	10%
Class Participation	20%
Final Exam	20%

Grading Scale

Grade	Percentage
A	90-100%
B	80-89%
C	70-79%
D	60-69%
F	Below 60%

Course Units and Chapters

• Unit 1: Introduction to Organic Chemistry, Alcohols, Phenols, Thiols, Ethers, Matter and Energy

• Unit 2: Aldehydes and Ketones, Carboxylic Acids and Esters, Amines and Amides

• Unit 3: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Amino Acids and Proteins

• Unit 4: Enzymes and Vitamins, Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

Additional Info

• Laboratory is a co-requisite for the course.

• Attendance, participation, and completion of assignments are required for success.

• Academic integrity and university policies apply.