Organic Chemistry I: Course Syllabus and Study Guide

Course Overview

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of organic chemistry, including molecular structure, bonding, nomenclature, reactivity, and mechanisms. The course is designed for college students beginning their study of organic chemistry and emphasizes both conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills.

Course Structure and Logistics

Instructor and Teaching Assistants

• Instructor: Dr. Max Helix ([e-mail])

• Office Hours: Mon 11AM (Chem 1908); Thurs 11AM (Chem 1900J); Sun 1PM (Zoom)

Name	Email
Andy Hsieh (Head TA)	[e-mail]
Yong (Rose) Ou	[e-mail]
Hanxiang Jin	[e-mail]
Kevin Martinez Cruz	[e-mail]
Matthew Dyer	[e-mail]

Required and Optional Materials

• Required Textbook: Essential Organic Chemistry, 3rd Edition, P. Y. Bruice

• Software: Mastering Chemistry Software for 3rd Ed. Essential Organic Chemistry (Canvas Bookshelf)

• Molecular models for visualization

• Optional: Essential Organic Chemistry Study Guide and Solution Manual, 3rd Ed.

Prerequisites

• CHE 002B or CHE 002BH

Knowledge:

• Determine valence electrons and likely bonding arrangements from the periodic table

• Draw and interpret simple Lewis Structures

• VSEPR and hybridization

• Basic thermodynamics and kinetics

Grading and Assessment

Grading Components

• Homework (15%): Online assignments via Mastering Chemistry. Six assignments, lowest score dropped. No late homework accepted.

• Midterms (50%): Three midterms, best two scores counted (lowest dropped). Each covers about 3 weeks of material.

• Final Exam (35%): Cumulative, held at the end of the quarter.

Grade Scale

Grade	Range (%)
A+	97.00+
A	90.00-96.99
A-	87.00-89.99
B+	85.00-86.99
B	80.00-84.99
B-	75.00-79.99
C+	73.00-74.99
C	70.00-72.99
C-	67.00-69.99
D+	65.00-66.99
D	60.00-64.99
F	< 60.00

Note: Thresholds may be adjusted based on class performance. Cheating is strictly prohibited and subject to university policy.

Course Schedule

Class Day	Date	Chapter	Lecture Topic (Tentative)	Homework Due Dates
1	Thurs, Sept. 24		Introducing the Course
2	Tues, Sept. 30	1	Drawing and Determining Info from Chemical Structures
3	Thurs, Oct. 1	1	Bonding and Hybridization
4	Tues, Oct. 7	2	Acid-Base 1 – How stable are these electrons?	HW 1 – Drawing and Information from Chemical Structures (Chapter 1)
5	Thurs, Oct. 9	2	Acid-Base 2 – pH and protonation states
6	Tues, Oct. 14	2	Acid-Base 3 – Is this a strong enough base?
7	Thurs, Oct. 16	3	Nomenclature and Functional Groups	HW 2 – Acids and bases (Chapter 2)
8	Tues, Oct. 21	4	Isomers and Chirality 1
9	Thurs, Oct. 23	4	Isomers and Chirality 2
10	Tues, Oct. 28	5	Strain and Stability – Rotation, Ring Size, and Chairs	HW 3 – Nomenclature and Isomers (Chapters 3-4)
11	Thurs, Nov. 4	5, 6	Drawing Mechanisms and Introduction to Reactivity (supp video)
12	Thurs, Nov. 6		HOLIDAY
13	Tues, Nov. 11	6, 7	Alkenes, Resonance and Pi Systems
14	Thurs, Nov. 13	7	Resonance and Pi Systems	HW 4 – Energetics and Mechanisms (Chapters 3, 5)
15	Tues, Nov. 18	8	Substitution and Elimination 1
16	Thurs, Nov. 20	8	Substitution and Elimination 2	HW 5 – Alkenes reactivity and pi systems (Chapters 5-7)
17	Tues, Nov. 25		MIDTERM
18	Thurs, Nov. 27		HOLIDAY
19	Tues, Dec. 2	8	Substitution and Elimination 2; Wrap-up	HW 6 – Substitution and elimination (Chapter 8)
20	Thurs, Dec. 9		FINAL EXAM – 10:30AM	FINAL EXAM

Learning Objectives

• Speak the Language of Organic Chemistry: Understand the vocabulary, nomenclature, and conventions used in organic chemistry.

• Name Linear, Cyclic, and Branched Alkanes, Alkenes, and Alkynes: Use IUPAC nomenclature rules to name common organic molecules.

• Draw and Recognize Organic Molecules: Draw and interpret resonance forms, Kekulé structures, and recognize the relationship between structure and function.

• Identify Information from Chemical Structures: Understand three-dimensional structure, hybridization, bond types, and polarity.

• Identify and Characterize Stereochemistry: Identify chiral centers, assign R/S configuration, and understand diastereomers and enantiomers.

• Identify Common Organic Functional Groups: Recognize and classify functional groups, nucleophiles, electrophiles, and leaving groups.

• Assess Relative Stability: Explain strain and stability of carbocations and cycloalkanes, and understand the factors affecting acidity and basicity.

• Interpret Reactivity: Use reaction coordinate diagrams to explain differences in energy over time, and predict the outcome of organic reactions.

• Predict and Explain Organic Reactivity: Predict the outcome of given reactions, determine which reagents must be added, and explain mechanistic pathways.

Study Strategies and Academic Success

• Read the Textbook: Focus on understanding the vocabulary and concepts before attempting problems.

• Attend Class: Attend all lectures and participate actively.

• Work on Problems Together: Practice with peers and use online resources for additional support.

• Use Piazza: Engage in online discussion boards to ask and answer questions.

• Go to Office Hours and Tutoring: Seek help from the instructor and TAs as needed.

• Actively Review the Material: Regularly review and reorganize notes and concepts.

• Review the Questions: Practice with sample and recommended problems to reinforce understanding.

Key Organic Chemistry Concepts Covered

Atomic Structure and Bonding

• Valence Electrons: Electrons in the outermost shell, important for bonding.

• Lewis Structures: Diagrams showing bonding between atoms and lone pairs.

• VSEPR Theory: Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory predicts molecular geometry.

• Hybridization: Mixing of atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals (e.g., sp3, sp2, sp).

Acids and Bases

• Brønsted-Lowry Acids and Bases: Acids donate protons (H+), bases accept protons.

• pKa: Quantitative measure of acid strength.

• Resonance: Delocalization of electrons stabilizes molecules and ions.

Nomenclature and Functional Groups

• IUPAC Nomenclature: Systematic naming of organic compounds.

• Functional Groups: Specific groups of atoms within molecules that determine chemical reactivity (e.g., alcohols, ketones, carboxylic acids).

Stereochemistry

• Isomers: Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures.

• Chirality: Property of a molecule that is not superimposable on its mirror image.

• Enantiomers and Diastereomers: Types of stereoisomers with different spatial arrangements.

Reaction Mechanisms and Energetics

• Reaction Coordinate Diagrams: Graphical representation of energy changes during a reaction.

• Substitution and Elimination Reactions: Key reaction types in organic chemistry (e.g., SN1, SN2, E1, E2).

• Thermodynamics and Kinetics: Study of energy changes and reaction rates.

Resonance and Pi Systems

• Resonance Structures: Different Lewis structures representing the same molecule.

• Pi Systems: Overlapping p orbitals in conjugated systems, important for stability and reactivity.

Additional info:

• Some details about the specific chapters and lecture topics were inferred from the schedule and standard organic chemistry curricula.

• Key equations and mechanisms (e.g., for acid-base equilibria, resonance, and reaction mechanisms) will be covered in detail in the corresponding chapters.