Basic Organic Chemistry Course

Lesson 1 • IUPAC Nomenclature Basics

Applies IUPAC rules to name alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and simple substituted compounds. Naming proficiency is required for all later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Molecular Formula and Degree of Unsaturation

Introduces molecular formulas, empirical formulas, and the index of hydrogen deficiency. Students use this tool to narrow structural possibilities from spectral data.

Lesson 3 • Representing Organic Molecules

Teaches Lewis structures, condensed formulas, and skeletal (line-angle) notation for drawing organic compounds. Provides the visual language used throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Introduction to Functional Groups

Identifies the major functional groups and their defining structural features. Establishes the pattern-recognition skill central to predicting reactivity.

Lesson 1 • R/S Configuration Assignment

Applies Cahn-Ingold-Prelog priority rules to assign absolute configuration at each stereocenter. Builds the skill needed to name and compare stereoisomers.

Lesson 2 • Conformational Analysis

Examines rotation around single bonds using Newman projections and energy diagrams. Connects conformational preference to steric strain and stability.

Lesson 3 • Geometric Isomerism in Alkenes

Covers cis/trans and E/Z nomenclature for restricted rotation around double bonds. Connects geometric isomerism to reactivity differences explored in later chapters.

Lesson 4 • Chirality and Stereocenters

Defines chirality, stereocenters, and the conditions that produce non-superimposable mirror images. Provides the conceptual basis for R/S assignment.

Lesson 1 • IUPAC Naming of Cycloalkanes

Extends IUPAC rules to monocyclic and bicyclic ring systems with substituents. Reinforces systematic naming skills introduced in Chapter 1.

Lesson 2 • Combustion and Halogenation Reactions

Covers complete and incomplete combustion and free-radical halogenation mechanisms of alkanes. Introduces radical intermediates and selectivity concepts.

Lesson 3 • Radical Stability and Selectivity

Ranks primary, secondary, and tertiary radical stability and predicts major halogenation products. Connects stability to regioselectivity outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Structure and Properties of Alkanes

Describes the structural features of straight-chain and branched alkanes and their physical property trends. Establishes baseline hydrocarbon behaviour for comparison with other classes.

Lesson 1 • Oxidation and Reduction of Alkenes

Surveys catalytic hydrogenation, epoxidation, dihydroxylation, and ozonolysis of alkenes. Products are predicted based on reagent choice and mechanism.

Lesson 2 • Hydration and Hydroboration

Contrasts acid-catalysed hydration (Markovnikov) with hydroboration-oxidation (anti-Markovnikov). Both pathways are analysed for regio- and stereoselectivity.

Lesson 3 • Structure and Stability of Alkenes

Describes pi bonding, hybridisation, and thermodynamic stability of alkene isomers. Stability trends inform product prediction in elimination and addition reactions.

Lesson 4 • Electrophilic Addition Reactions

Explains the mechanism of electrophilic addition of HX, H2O, and halogens to alkenes. Markovnikov's rule and carbocation stability govern regioselectivity.

Lesson 1 • Conjugated Dienes and Resonance

Analyses delocalisation in conjugated dienes and its effect on stability and UV absorption. Resonance structures are used to explain 1,2- vs. 1,4-addition selectivity.

Lesson 2 • Aromaticity and Hückel's Rule

Defines aromaticity using Hückel's 4n+2 pi-electron rule and MO energy diagrams. Distinguishes aromatic, antiaromatic, and nonaromatic systems.

Lesson 3 • Structure and Reactions of Alkynes

Covers sp hybridisation, acidity of terminal alkynes, and addition reactions across triple bonds. Builds directly on alkene addition mechanisms from Chapter 4.

Lesson 4 • Diels-Alder Cycloaddition

Presents the [4+2] cycloaddition mechanism, orbital symmetry requirements, and stereochemical outcomes. Demonstrates how diene geometry controls reaction feasibility.

Lesson 1 • Predicting Substitution vs. Elimination

Integrates substrate class, nucleophile/base strength, temperature, and solvent to predict the dominant pathway. Applies decision-tree logic to complex reaction scenarios.

Lesson 2 • SN1 Mechanism and Carbocation Stability

Covers the stepwise ionisation mechanism, carbocation stability, and racemisation outcomes. Solvent polarity and substrate class govern SN1 preference.

Lesson 3 • SN2 Mechanism and Stereochemistry

Details the concerted backside-attack mechanism, rate law, and Walden inversion. Substrate structure and nucleophile strength determine SN2 feasibility.

Lesson 4 • Alkyl Halides and Leaving Groups

Introduces alkyl halide structure, leaving group ability, and substrate classification. Establishes the variables that control substitution and elimination competition.

Lesson 1 • Structure and Reactivity of Carbonyls

Describes carbonyl polarisation, resonance, and the electrophilic carbon as the site of nucleophilic attack. Compares aldehyde and ketone reactivity differences.

Lesson 2 • Oxidation and Wittig Reaction

Covers oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids and the Wittig olefination to form alkenes. Expands the synthetic toolkit for carbon-carbon bond formation.

Lesson 3 • Reduction of Aldehydes and Ketones

Covers NaBH4 and LiAlH4 reduction mechanisms and their selectivity differences. Connects hydride delivery to stereochemical outcomes at the new alcohol centre.

Lesson 4 • Nucleophilic Addition Mechanisms

Covers addition of water, alcohols, cyanide, and organometallics to aldehydes and ketones. Mechanism steps are traced from nucleophile attack to protonation.

Lesson 1 • Esters: Synthesis and Hydrolysis

Covers Fischer esterification, transesterification, and saponification mechanisms. Equilibrium control in esterification is contrasted with irreversible saponification.

Lesson 2 • Carboxylic Acid Structure and Acidity

Explains resonance stabilisation of the carboxylate anion and substituent effects on pKa. Acidity trends are applied to predict proton-transfer equilibria.

Lesson 3 • Enolisation and Claisen Condensation

Introduces alpha-carbon acidity, enolate formation, and the Claisen condensation of esters. Connects enolate chemistry to the broader aldol and condensation reactions.

Lesson 4 • Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution Mechanism

Presents the tetrahedral intermediate mechanism common to all acyl substitution reactions. Leaving group ability determines the relative reactivity of each derivative class.