Organic Chemistry Course

Lesson 1 • Carbon's Unique Chemical Properties

Examines why carbon forms stable chains, rings, and multiple bonds. Connects carbon's tetravalency to the diversity of organic structures.

Lesson 2 • Atomic Structure and Bonding Basics

Covers electron configuration, valence electrons, and covalent bond formation. Provides the atomic-level foundation required for all subsequent molecular analysis.

Lesson 3 • Introduction to Functional Groups

Identifies the most common functional groups and their chemical signatures. Establishes the concept that functional groups dictate reactivity.

Lesson 4 • Representing Organic Molecules

Teaches Lewis structures, condensed formulas, and skeletal (line-angle) notation. Students gain fluency in reading and drawing molecular representations.

Lesson 1 • Alkane Structure and Nomenclature

Covers IUPAC naming rules for straight-chain and branched alkanes. Builds systematic naming skills used throughout the entire course.

Lesson 2 • Reactions of Alkenes

Covers electrophilic addition, hydrogenation, and halogenation mechanisms. Students apply Markovnikov's rule and carbocation stability concepts.

Lesson 3 • Alkene Structure, Naming, and Stability

Examines pi bond geometry, E/Z isomerism, and alkene stability trends. Prepares students for addition reaction mechanisms in the next section.

Lesson 4 • Alkynes: Structure and Reactivity

Describes the linear geometry of alkynes and their addition and acidity reactions. Extends alkene reaction logic to triple-bond systems.

Lesson 1 • R/S Configuration Assignment

Teaches Cahn-Ingold-Prelog priority rules and systematic R/S assignment. Enables unambiguous stereochemical description of any stereocenter.

Lesson 2 • Stereochemistry in Reactions

Analyzes how reaction mechanisms determine stereochemical outcomes. Connects SN2 inversion and addition stereoselectivity to earlier mechanism content.

Lesson 3 • Enantiomers, Diastereomers, and Meso Compounds

Compares physical and chemical properties of enantiomers and diastereomers. Introduces meso compounds as a special achiral case.

Lesson 4 • Chirality and Stereocenters

Defines chirality, stereocenters, and the conditions for optical activity. Students identify chiral centers in complex molecules.

Lesson 1 • Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Reactions

Applies energy diagrams, activation energy, and Hammond's postulate to mechanism analysis. Students interpret reaction coordinate diagrams for multi-step processes.

Lesson 2 • Addition Reactions and Mechanisms

Extends electrophilic and nucleophilic addition to carbonyl and alkene systems. Reinforces Markovnikov selectivity and stereochemical outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Curved-Arrow Notation and Electron Flow

Introduces the curved-arrow formalism for depicting electron movement in reactions. Establishes the visual language used in every subsequent mechanism.

Lesson 4 • Nucleophilic Substitution: SN1 and SN2

Contrasts SN1 and SN2 pathways using substrate, nucleophile, and solvent criteria. Students predict which pathway dominates under given conditions.

Lesson 1 • Polycyclic and Heterocyclic Aromatics

Extends aromaticity to naphthalene, pyridine, pyrrole, and furan systems. Students apply EAS and basicity concepts to these ring systems.

Lesson 2 • Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution

Introduces SNAr and benzyne mechanisms for electron-poor aromatic rings. Contrasts conditions required with those for EAS.

Lesson 3 • Directing Effects of Substituents

Explains ortho/para and meta directors using resonance and inductive effects. Students predict the major product of EAS on substituted benzenes.

Lesson 4 • Aromaticity and Hückel's Rule

Defines aromaticity using Hückel's 4n+2 pi electron rule and resonance delocalization. Students classify compounds as aromatic, antiaromatic, or nonaromatic.

Lesson 1 • Acetal Formation and Protection

Explains acetal formation under acid catalysis and its use as a carbonyl protecting group. Connects protecting group strategy to multi-step synthesis planning.

Lesson 2 • Carbonyl Group Structure and Properties

Describes the polarized C=O bond, sp2 geometry, and physical properties of aldehydes and ketones. Establishes why carbonyls are electrophilic reaction centers.

Lesson 3 • Reactions with Nitrogen Nucleophiles

Covers imine and enamine formation from primary and secondary amines. Introduces condensation reactions as a distinct carbonyl reaction class.

Lesson 4 • Nucleophilic Addition to Carbonyls

Covers addition of hydride, organometallic, and water nucleophiles to aldehydes and ketones. Students predict products and stereochemical outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution Mechanism

Presents the tetrahedral intermediate mechanism common to all acyl derivatives. Establishes the reactivity order: acyl chloride > anhydride > ester > amide.

Lesson 2 • Ester Synthesis and Hydrolysis

Covers Fischer esterification, transesterification, and saponification mechanisms. Students select appropriate conditions for ester formation or cleavage.

Lesson 3 • Carboxylic Acid Structure and Acidity

Explains resonance stabilization of the carboxylate anion and pKa trends. Students predict relative acidity based on substituent effects.

Lesson 4 • Condensation Reactions: Aldol and Claisen

Covers aldol addition, aldol condensation, and Claisen condensation using enolate chemistry. Students apply these reactions to carbon-carbon bond-forming synthesis steps.

Lesson 1 • Oxidation and Reduction in Synthesis

Catalogs oxidation state changes and reagent selection for interconverting functional groups. Students balance oxidation levels across multi-step routes.

Lesson 2 • Multi-Step Synthesis Design

Applies retrosynthesis, protecting groups, and reaction selection to design complete synthetic routes. Students evaluate routes for efficiency, selectivity, and step economy.

Lesson 3 • Protecting Group Strategy

Covers selection, installation, and removal of protecting groups for alcohols, amines, and carbonyls. Students apply protection/deprotection sequences in multi-step routes.

Lesson 4 • Principles of Retrosynthetic Analysis

Introduces disconnection strategy, synthons, and synthetic equivalents for working backward from targets. Establishes the logical framework for all synthesis planning.