CHEM 2311

CHEM 2311: Organic Chemistry I is a 3-credit first course in organic chemistry. It is directed towards students majoring in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, or Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, as well as pre-health students. The second course in organic chemistry is either CHEM 2312: Organic Chemistry II or CHEM 2313: Bioorganic Chemistry. The only prerequisite is CHEM 1212K.

Overview

Homework consists of online autograded problems. There are optional weekly recitations and PLUS sessions. There is no lab section.

Topics include (this list is from Pollet's Spring 2019 syllabus):

• Bonding and molecular structure
• Functional groups, intermolecular forces, and infrared (IR) spectroscopy
• Acids and bases
• Alkanes and cycloalkanes
• Stereochemistry
• Chiral molecules
• Nucleophilic substitution of alkyl halides
• Elimination reactions of alkyl halides
• Alkenes and alkynes
• Addition reactions
• Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopy
• Radical reactions
• Conjugated unsaturated systems
• Aromatic compounds
• Multistep synthesis

The textbook used is Organic Chemistry by Solomons and Fryhle.

Organic chemistry is widely considered to be a difficult course. Grading may be curved, and exams may have substantial extra credit.

The median student spends about 12.5 hours per week on CHEM 2311, according to SmartEvals.

Resources

• Example CHEM 2311 syllabus
• Easy-to-read IR spectroscopy table by Compound Chemistry – however, during an exam, you must use the reference sheet given, not this one
• IR guide by Master Organic Chemistry
• Reactions Quizlet for Spring 2019