Chemistry - CHEM 213

Course Description

This is the first semester of the two-semester sequence of Organic Chemistry. Course content emphasizes bonding and structure of carbon compounds, as well as a mechanistic understanding of organic reactions. Other topics include standardized nomenclature, acid-base behavior of organic molecules, classification of compounds based on functional groups and their characteristic reactions and structure/properties relationships. The laboratory portion of the course covers a range of techniques fundamental to the practice of organic chemistry. Students are also introduced to the use of modern spectroscopy for structural determination.

Prerequisites

(A requirement that must be completed before taking this course.)

Course Competencies

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Assign IUPAC and/or appropriate common names to organic compounds of various classes.
• Classify the range of organic molecules by functional group.
• Construct structural representations for organic compounds from the name of the compounds.
• Relate theories and models of chemical bonding including covalent/ionic bonding models, resonance theory, hybridization models, molecular orbital models and valence shell electron pair repulsion models to structures of organic substances.
• Differentiate between the Bronsted-Lowry and Lewis theories of acids and bases.
• Differentiate between various functional groups and classes of organic compounds.
• Relate the structures of molecules to physical and chemical properties of molecules.
• Employ stereochemical designations appropriately.
• Identify the stereochemical relationships between organic molecules.
• Predict the three-dimensional products of chemical reactions using stereochemical relationships.
• Identify the conditions needed for a variety of organic reactions occurring with various functional groups.
• Predict the outcome of chemical reactions when specific substrates are exposed to specific reaction conditions.
• Relate the theories of acids and bases to chemical reaction processes.
• Interpret mechanisms for a variety of chemical changes.
• Formulate chemical mechanisms for specific organic reactions.
• Relate chemical mechanisms to energy transformations.
• Interpret energy diagrams for chemical reactions.
• Construct energy diagrams for various reaction processes.
• Evaluate the energy relationships between various 3-D structures that can be generated by rotation around carbon-carbon single bonds in a variety of molecules.
• Determine molecular changes that occur in molecules on interaction with various electromagnetic radiation sources (IR, UV, etc.).
• Employ various spectroscopic methods of analysis in the determination of structures of organic molecules.
• Construct reasonable multi-step synthetic pathways to make complex organic molecules utilizing a variety of chemical reactions characteristic of organic molecules.
• Utilize various laboratory equipment in the performance of laboratory experiments.
• Perform various laboratory manipulations.
• Organize laboratory data, calculations and analyses in an accurate and detailed fashion.
• Demonstrate interpersonal communication and group work skills while cooperating with other students to complete laboratory experiments.
• Execute appropriate disposal procedures for the various chemical substances used in the laboratory.
• Apply a working knowledge of laboratory safety, including proper use of safety equipment (e.g., protective eyewear) and safe work habits.

Course Schedule