CHEM 3514
Organic Chemistry I

This course is the first semester of a two-semester sequence in organic chemistry and is a thorough introduction to the language, mechanisms, materials and concepts fundamental to organic chemistry. Lecture topics include: VSEPR and atomic orbital models; basic valence hybrid and molecular orbital theory; the language of stereochemistry; the basic "activated complex" model of Eyring and Polanyi; free radical reactions, notably as they occur in alkanes; alkene preparation and synthesis; SN1 and SN2 substitution reaction pathways notably as they occur in alkyl halides and alcohols; E1 and E2 elimination pathways, notably as they occur for alcohols and alkyl halides; the stereochemistry and energetics of cycloalkanes, and an introduction to retrograde, multi-step synthesis. Lab skills taught include: principles and practice of simple, fractional and steam distillation; recrystallization, solvent extraction, melting point, refractive index determination, IR and GC instrumental characterization of compounds. Students are also required to synthesize three different compounds, including a multi-step Grignard synthesis to 2-methyl-2 hexene starting from 2-propanone and 1-bromobutane.

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