Organic Chemistry

Abstract

This subject is a further development of the elementary topics concerning carbon chemistry and functional group reactions covered in first year Chemistry. Greater detail and emphasis is given to molecular properties such as isomerism, tautomerism, bonding theory, conformations, configurations, reaction mechanisms and electronic theory, together with applications of organic products … For more content click the Read More button below.

This subject is a further development of the elementary topics concerning carbon chemistry and functional group reactions covered in first year Chemistry. Greater detail and emphasis is given to molecular properties such as isomerism, tautomerism, bonding theory, conformations, configurations, reaction mechanisms and electronic theory, together with applications of organic products to modern society. The subject will provide an introduction to organic spectroscopy, including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and infra-red spectroscopy.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics: The element carbon, its catenation and three-dimensional tetrahedral nature;Covalent molecular compounds of carbon;Bonding, sigma and pi bonds, hybridisation, resonance, bond polarity;Electron flow mechanisms;Significance of, and information contained in molecular formulae;Unsaturation, formal charge, carboniumions, carbanions, free radicals, electrophiles, nucleophiles, electron delocalisation;Types of isomerism, writing … For more content click the Read More button below.

This subject will cover the following topics:

The element carbon, its catenation and three-dimensional tetrahedral nature;
Covalent molecular compounds of carbon;
Bonding, sigma and pi bonds, hybridisation, resonance, bond polarity;
Electron flow mechanisms;
Significance of, and information contained in molecular formulae;
Unsaturation, formal charge, carboniumions, carbanions, free radicals, electrophiles, nucleophiles, electron delocalisation;
Types of isomerism, writing stereoformulae, R,S and E,Z systems, chirality and symmetry, diastereoisomerism;
Reaction chemistry, elimination, substitution, combustion, inductive and mesomeric effects, steric hindrance, relative acidity, hydrogen bonding, tautomerism;
Important industrial applications of organic synthesis; and
A brief introduction to the basis of and applications for infra-red, ultra-violet and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

demonstrate knowledge of the basic operating principles of infra-red (IR), ultra-violet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS), by utilising information from these technique outputs to identify unknown compounds, and vice-versa, to predict spectroscopic patterns from a given compound;

predict, draw the structures of, identify and name stereoisomers and conformers, together with drawing conformational energy diagrams and assigning energy level to conformers, and vice-versa;

rationalise the myriad of chemical facts into coherent patterns more easily memorised through an understanding of the important principles and theories, including, but not restricted to, electron donating and electron withdrawing effects, resonance, inductive effect, nucleophilicity, electrophilicity;

use a repertoire of standard organic functional group transforming reactions for synthetic design and draw reaction mechanisms;

evaluate or predict acid/base properties of compounds; and

apply polarity and hydrogen bonding properties of compounds to evaluate or predict their solubility and/or boiling point.

Enrolment restrictions

Pre-requisite

Learning activities

Intensive School

This subject has a compulsory intensive for four days in Wagga Wagga, at which internal and online students must bring appropriate lab coat and safety glasses.

The intensive will provide a practical opportunity for students to develop skills in laboratory techniques essential to Organic Chemistry. This will include lab based practical sessions in distillation, recrystallisation, sublimation, liquid-liquid extraction, and melting point determination.

Duration4 days

Learning resources

Additional resources required by students

Students attending compulsory intensive schools on Charles Sturt campuses will incur costs associated with travel, accommodation and required resources.

Students will also be required to purchase a lab coat and safety goggles, which are compulsory for lab based practicals.

Handbook

CHM216 - Organic Chemistry