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Rahsoft Chemical Engineering Department

This Organic Chemistry Online Course is a very comprehensive course recommended for students learning faculty of science (chemistry, physics, biology) or chemical engineering with basic general chemistry knowledge. This basic course focused on current theories of mechanism and structure in organic chemistry, their historical development, and their basis in experimental observation.

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This Organic Chemistry Online Course is a very comprehensive course recommended for students learning faculty of science (chemistry, physics, biology) or chemical engineering with basic general chemistry knowledge. This basic course focused on current theories of mechanism and structure in organic chemistry, their historical development, and their basis in experimental observation.

In this course we will discover together the wonders of chemistry, understand the relationships between the properties and typical reactions of the different organic compounds. We will perceive the structure-reactivity relationship, and enjoy understanding the language and logic of chemistry.

The course covers bonding schemes, orbital theories, stereochemistry and physical properties of the organic compounds, and details reaction types and mechanisms of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, alcohols and amines.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • At the end of this course you will have a general knowledge about the fundamental concepst and the elements of the language of organic chemistry.
  • Furthermore you will be able to see how these concepts are used in connection with various classes of compounds.

Syllabus

Before we start
Fundamental basics of organic chemistry
History of organic chemistry
The privileged position of carbon atom in the periodic table
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers bonding schemes, orbital theories, stereochemistry, and physical properties, which are foundational concepts for understanding advanced topics in chemistry and related fields
Details reaction types and mechanisms of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, alcohols and amines, which are essential for organic synthesis
Explores the structure-reactivity relationship, which is a core concept for predicting and understanding chemical reactions and designing new molecules
Requires basic general chemistry knowledge, so learners without this background may find the material challenging and may need to acquire it beforehand
Examines topics such as the Hammett equation, isotope effects, and reaction kinetics, which are typically covered in upper-level undergraduate or graduate-level organic chemistry courses
Includes a section on the history of organic chemistry, which provides context and a deeper appreciation for the evolution of the field and its key discoveries

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive organic chemistry fundamentals with examples

According to learners, this course provides a comprehensive foundation in the fundamental concepts of organic chemistry. Many found the lectures clear and easy to follow, appreciating the abundance of helpful examples that aid in understanding complex mechanisms and reactions. The course covers a broad range of essential topics outlined in the syllabus. However, some students note the challenging pace, suggesting it moves quickly and may require pausing or rewatching lectures. Learners also highlight that having a solid background in general chemistry is crucial for keeping up and fully grasping the material.
Covers a broad range of essential topics.
"This course covered all the major topics I needed for my university course, from basic bonding to complex reactions."
"I was impressed by how much material was packed into the lectures, providing a good overview of organic chemistry."
"It follows the syllabus well, touching upon all the key functional groups and reaction types."
"A good starting point for getting a feel for the breadth of organic chemistry."
Lectures make complex topics understandable.
"The instructor explains the concepts really well, making challenging topics much clearer than I expected."
"I found the lectures to be very clear and concise, helping me build a solid foundation in the subject."
"The examples provided after each concept were extremely helpful for cementing my understanding."
"Everything was explained step-by-step, which was great for learning the reaction mechanisms."
Builds on general chemistry knowledge.
"You definitely need a solid background in general chemistry before starting this, especially acid-base chemistry."
"Struggled a bit at the beginning as my general chemistry was rusty; a quick review beforehand is recommended."
"The course assumes you are familiar with basic concepts like atomic structure and bonding from general chemistry."
"If your general chemistry is strong, you'll find it much easier to follow along with the material."
Moves quickly, requiring dedication.
"The course moves quite fast, I had to pause and rewind the videos frequently to keep up."
"Sometimes it felt like we jumped from one topic to the next without enough time to absorb everything."
"Be prepared to dedicate significant time outside of lectures for practice if you want to master the material."
"The pace is fast, but manageable if you commit to reviewing the concepts regularly."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Organic Chemistry Online Course 15+hours lectures & examples with these activities:
Review General Chemistry Concepts
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental chemistry principles. This will provide a solid foundation for grasping the more complex concepts in organic chemistry.
Browse courses on General Chemistry
Show steps
  • Review your general chemistry notes and textbook.
  • Work through practice problems on key topics.
  • Identify areas where you need further clarification.
Read 'Organic Chemistry' by Paula Yurkanis Bruice
Supplement the course material with a widely respected textbook. This will provide a more in-depth understanding of the topics covered in the lectures.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Organic Chemistry' by Paula Yurkanis Bruice.
  • Read the chapters corresponding to the course syllabus.
  • Work through the example problems and end-of-chapter exercises.
Mechanism Drawing Practice
Improve your ability to draw and understand reaction mechanisms. This is crucial for predicting reaction outcomes and understanding reactivity.
Show steps
  • Select a set of reaction mechanisms from the course material.
  • Draw the mechanisms step-by-step, showing electron flow.
  • Compare your drawings to the correct mechanisms and identify any errors.
  • Repeat the process until you can accurately draw the mechanisms.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create Flashcards for Key Reactions
Memorize key reactions and reagents through active recall. This will help you quickly recognize reaction patterns and predict products.
Show steps
  • Identify the most important reactions covered in the course.
  • Create flashcards with the reactants on one side and the products and mechanism on the other.
  • Review the flashcards regularly to reinforce your memory.
Reaction Mechanism Prediction Project
Apply your knowledge to predict the products of unfamiliar reactions. This will test your understanding of reaction mechanisms and reactivity.
Show steps
  • Find a set of organic chemistry reactions with unknown products.
  • Propose a detailed reaction mechanism for each reaction.
  • Predict the major product(s) of each reaction based on your proposed mechanism.
  • Compare your predictions to the actual products (if available) and analyze any discrepancies.
Consult 'March's Advanced Organic Chemistry'
Use a comprehensive reference book to deepen your understanding of specific reactions. This is particularly helpful for understanding the nuances of reaction mechanisms.
Show steps
  • Identify a reaction or mechanism you want to understand better.
  • Look up the reaction in 'March's Advanced Organic Chemistry'.
  • Read the detailed explanation of the reaction mechanism and reaction conditions.
Tutor other students
Solidify your understanding by teaching the material to others. Explaining concepts to someone else forces you to think critically about the material.
Show steps
  • Offer to tutor classmates who are struggling with the material.
  • Prepare explanations and examples to help them understand the concepts.
  • Answer their questions and provide feedback on their work.

Career center

Learners who complete Organic Chemistry Online Course 15+hours lectures & examples will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Medicinal Chemist
A Medicinal Chemist designs and synthesizes new pharmaceutical drugs. This Organic Chemistry Online Course is highly relevant because it covers the fundamental concepts and language of organic chemistry. Understanding bonding schemes, orbital theories, and reaction mechanisms of various organic compounds, as taught in this course, helps build core skills required for designing molecules with specific pharmacological properties. The sections on aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and amines directly relate to understanding the structure and reactivity of drug molecules. A prospective Medicinal Chemist may find the chapters on aromatic chemistry especially useful.
Research Scientist
Research Scientists design and conduct experiments to expand scientific knowledge. This Organic Chemistry Online Course is highly relevant as it provides a strong foundation in the fundamental concepts and language of organic chemistry. The course's coverage of bonding schemes, orbital theories, and reaction mechanisms of various organic compounds helps in designing and interpreting experiments. The sections on stereochemistry, reaction kinetics, and electronic effects are particularly valuable for conducting research in organic chemistry. A prospective Research Scientist may find the chapter on aromacity especially useful.
Patent Attorney
Patent Attorneys help inventors protect their inventions by preparing and prosecuting patent applications. This Organic Chemistry Online Course is valuable because it provides a deep understanding of organic chemistry principles. This is essential for evaluating the patentability of new chemical compounds and processes. The course's coverage of reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and functional groups is particularly relevant for understanding the novelty and non obviousness of chemical inventions. A Patent Attorney may find the chapter on aromacity to be especially helpful.
Biochemist
Biochemists study the chemical processes within living organisms. This Organic Chemistry Online Course helps lay the chemical foundation for understanding complex biochemical reactions. The course's coverage of functional groups, bonding schemes, and reaction mechanisms are essential for understanding how biomolecules interact. The sections on aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and amines are particularly relevant as these functional groups are prevalent in biological molecules. The chapter on stereochemistry may prove particularly helpful for prospective biochemists.
Polymer Chemist
Polymer Chemists synthesize and characterize polymers and plastics. This Organic Chemistry Online Course is valuable in understanding the reactions involved in polymerization. The course's discussion of bonding schemes, orbital theories, and the physical properties of organic compounds are relevant to understanding the structure property relationships of polymers. The sections on alkenes, alkynes, and conjugated pi systems are particularly relevant for understanding the synthesis and properties of various polymers. A prospective Polymer Chemist may find the chapter on intermolecular bonding especially useful.
Flavor Chemist
Flavor Chemists analyze and create flavors for food and beverages. This Organic Chemistry Online Course may be useful because it helps in understanding the chemical compounds responsible for different flavors and how they interact. The course's coverage of functional groups and reaction mechanisms are relevant to understanding the formation and degradation of flavor compounds. The sections on aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and esters are particularly relevant as these compounds are key contributors to flavor profiles. Aspiring flavor chemists may find the chapter on oxidation useful.
Process Development Chemist
Process Development Chemists optimize chemical processes for industrial production. This Organic Chemistry Online Course may be useful because it provides a foundation for understanding the chemical reactions and mechanisms involved in large scale manufacturing. The course's coverage of reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and catalysis is relevant for optimizing reaction conditions and improving yields. The sections on reaction energetics and electronic effects are particularly valuable for process optimization. Process Development Chemists may find the chapter on nucleophilic substitution especially useful.
Chemical Engineer
Chemical Engineers design and develop chemical processes and equipment for large scale manufacturing. This Organic Chemistry Online Course may be useful because the knowledge of organic chemistry fundamentals helps Chemical Engineers understand reaction kinetics and mechanisms, which are essential for optimizing chemical processes. The course's exploration of reaction types and mechanisms of various organic compounds, including alkanes, alkenes, alkyl halides, alcohols, and amines, provides a foundation for understanding chemical reactions at an industrial scale. Furthermore, the sections on oxidation and reduction are helpful for designing efficient chemical processes. Aspiring chemical engineers may find the chapter on reaction energetics to be especially relevant.
Environmental Chemist
An Environmental Chemist analyzes and mitigates the impact of chemicals on the environment. This Organic Chemistry Online Course may be useful because it helps one evaluate the fate and transport of organic pollutants. The course's coverage of reaction types and mechanisms of various organic compounds helps in understanding how pollutants degrade in the environment. The sections on acidity, basicity, and electron movement are particularly relevant for understanding chemical transformations in environmental systems. Those aspiring to become Environmental Chemists may find the chapters on oxidation and reduction helpful.
Formulation Scientist
Formulation Scientists develop stable and effective formulations for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other products. This Organic Chemistry Online Course may be useful because it provides a foundation for understanding the chemical interactions between different ingredients in a formulation. The course's coverage of functional groups, intermolecular forces, and solubility is relevant for ensuring the stability and efficacy of formulations. The sections on alcohols, carboxylic acids, and amines are particularly relevant as these compounds are commonly used in formulations. Formulation Scientists may find the chapter on conjugated pi systems to be especially helpful.
Food Chemist
A Food Chemist analyzes the chemical composition of food and develops new food products. This Organic Chemistry Online Course may be useful because it lays a foundation for understanding the chemical reactions that occur during food processing and storage. The course's coverage of reaction types and mechanisms of various organic compounds helps in understanding how food components interact. The sections on aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and amines are particularly relevant as these compounds contribute to the flavor and aroma of foods. The chapter on oxidation level changes may be particularly helpful to prospective Food Chemists.
Cosmetic Chemist
Cosmetic Chemists formulate and test cosmetic products. This Organic Chemistry Online Course may be useful because it provides a foundation for understanding the chemical interactions between ingredients in cosmetic formulations. The coverage of reaction types and mechanisms of various organic compounds helps in understanding how cosmetic ingredients react with each other and with the skin. The sections on alcohols, carboxylic acids, and amines are particularly relevant as these compounds are commonly used in cosmetic products. Those aspiring to become Cosmetic Chemists may find the chapter on stereochemistry helpful.
Agricultural Chemist
Agricultural Chemists study the chemical processes related to crop production and protection. This Organic Chemistry Online Course may be useful because it provides a foundation for understanding the chemical interactions between plants, soil, and fertilizers. The course's coverage of reaction types and mechanisms of various organic compounds helps in understanding the fate and transport of pesticides and herbicides. The sections on carboxylic acids, amines, and alkyl halides are particularly relevant as these compounds are commonly found in agricultural chemicals. Agricultural Chemists may find the chapter on acidity helpful.
Materials Scientist
Materials Scientists research and develop new materials with specific properties. This Organic Chemistry Online Course may be useful because it can help with manipulating organic molecules to create novel materials. The course's discussion of bonding schemes, orbital theories, and the physical properties of organic compounds helps in understanding the structure property relationships of organic materials. The sections on conjugated pi systems and aromacity are particularly relevant for understanding the properties of conducting polymers and other advanced materials. The chapter on intermolecular bonding may be especially helpful to those aspiring to become Materials Scientists.
Science Writer
Science Writers communicate scientific information to the public. This Organic Chemistry Online Course may be useful because it enhances one's understanding of organic chemistry concepts. This can enable more effective communication of scientific topics to a broader audience. The course covers the fundamentals of organic chemistry and can give writers a strong foundation on which to build. A Science Writer may find the chapters on bonding schemes and reaction mechanisms to be especially useful.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Organic Chemistry Online Course 15+hours lectures & examples.
Comprehensive reference for organic chemistry reactions and mechanisms. It provides detailed information on a wide range of reactions, including reaction conditions, mechanisms, and stereochemistry. It valuable resource for advanced students and researchers in organic chemistry.

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