CHEM 221
Organic Chemistry I
Spring 2008
Instructor: Ms. Cindy Lamberty
Phone: 985.448.4167
Office Hours: 9:45-12:00 & 1:00-3:00 MW,
and by appointment
Office: Bea 207
e-mail: Cynthia.Lamberty@nicholls.edu
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Chem 221. Organic Chemistry I. 3-3-0. CHEM 106 A basic study of the physical and
chemical properties of organic compounds. Such concepts as stereoisomerism, conformational analysis, molecular
orbital theory, and transition state theory are introduced to demonstrate the correlation of structure and chemical
reactivity. (40.0504)
PREREQUISITES: Chem 106
REQUIRED TEXTS AND OTHER MATERIALS:
1) Organic Chemistry, 9th edition, by TW Graham Solomons and Craig B. Fryhle
2) WileyPLUS used as part of assessment. The access to this program is packaged as part of your textbook.
http://edugen.wiley.com/edugen/domain/dmn9452/
RECOMMENDED TEXT:
1) Study Guide for Organic Chemistry, 9th edition,
2) Organic Chemistry as a Second Language by David Klein (available online through WileyPLUS)
COURSE GOALS:
CHEM 221, as a Core Curriculum course, fulfills three hours of general education requirements in the area of the
natural sciences and is thus designed to enable students to meet the following broad outcome for all the natural
sciences:
Goal: Upon completion of the undergraduate curriculum, students will be able to comprehend and to apply the
basic principles of science and methods of scientific inquiry.
For further explanation of the learning objectives associated with this goal, go to
http://www.nicholls.edu/gened/goals_objectives.html.
In addition, the student will develop an understanding of
1. The three-dimensional nature of carbon based compounds.
2. Representative reactions involving different classes of aliphatic compounds.
3. Spectroscopic data interpretation and acquisition.
CHEM 221 meets these goals by the following course-specific student learning outcomes:
STUDENT OUTCOME OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the class the student will be able to
 demonstrate a knowledge of the hybridization of the carbon atom,
 demonstrate a knowledge of the three dimensional nature of carbon based compounds,
 identify and name organic compounds, using the proper nomenclature for the various classes of
compounds,
 draw structures (condensed and structural) of compounds,
 demonstrate an understanding of chirality,
 demonstrate a knowledge of free radical reactions,
 demonstrate a knowledge Nucleophilic Substitution reactions,
 determine which substitution reaction is demonstrated (S N1 or SN2),
 demonstrate a knowledge of Elimination reactions,
 determine which elimination reaction is demonstrated (E1 or E2),
 show the products of reactions,
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write a reaction scheme to produce desired product,
discuss the stereochemical aspects of compounds and how it affects reaction rates,
interpret spectroscopic data,
identify compounds based upon their spectroscopic data, and
understand the workings of the various instrumentation
COURSE CONTENT:
Chapter 1: The Basics: Bonding and Molecular Structure
Chapter 2: Representative Carbon Compounds: Functional Groups, Intermolecular Forces, and Infrared
Spectroscopy
Chapter 3: An Introduction to Organic Reactions and Their Mechanisms: Acids and Bases
Chapter 4: Nomenclature and Conformations of Alkanes and Cycloalkanes
Chapter 5: Stereochemistry: Chiral Molecules
Chapter 6: Ionic Reactions: Nucleophilic Substitution and Elimination Reactions of Alkyl Halides
Chapter 7: Alkenes and Alkynes I: Properties and Synthesis. Elimination Reactions of Alkyl Halides
Chapter 8: Alkenes and Alkynes II: Addition Reactions
Chapter 9: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Mass Spectroscopy: Tools for Structure Determination (SKIP)
Chapter 10: Radical Reactions
Chapter 11: Alcohols and Ethers
Chapter 12: Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds: Oxidation-Reduction and Organometallic Compounds
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
 Office Consultations: 10 points total: Each student is required to meet with me two (2) times by appointment
(no drop-in visits will count for this assignment) during my scheduled office hours. The consultations will be an
opportunity for the instructor and student to discuss the progress of the student and other issues as needed.
The first consultation must occur within the first two weeks of class. The second consultation should occur by
midterms but must be completed by drop date. These consultations are different than a student coming during
office hours for assistance with course work.
 Reaction Journal: 10 points: Students are expected to keep track of all reactions covered in class in a separate
notebook. The generic reactions and an example for each reaction are expected. Pages for reactions can be
downloaded from Blackboard.
 News Article: 5 points: These are submissions of some use of organic chemistry in the news/entertainment
industry. Each student can submit 1 article maximum. Please carefully cite the submission. I will accept the
original article or a photocopy or you may submit a reference to a website through Blackboard. Only one
version of a given article will be accepted. You have all semester to complete but remember, only the first to
submit a given event will earn the points. Complete as soon as possible.
 On-line Quizzes: 100 points: Quizzes of 15-25 points will be assigned for each chapter. The quizzes are due a
week after they are assigned. You will be allowed 3 attempts for each quiz. Quizzes cannot be made up (do
not wait until the last day to complete the quizzes). I will normalize the grades at the end of the semester.
90% of the possible points on the quizzes will be the maximum number of points possible. For example, if
1240 quiz points are offered during the semester, 1116 points will be the maximum number of points needed to
receive the a 100 out of 100 points for the quizzes. All grades will be normalized to the maximum number of
points.
 In-class participation: 5 points You will be given a variety of in class assignments and I will randomly select a
set of assignments to pick up throughout the semester. We will generally work problems 2 of the 3 days of
class a week. Points will be awarded for active participation in answering questions.
 Service: 5 points per event/2 events maximum (10 points) Assisting in Science Olympiad (Feb 16) and/or
Science Fair (March 7) will qualify. Some work is required the week before the events and will be announced.
Other service for the Department of Physical Sciences and/or Nicholls State University will be considered on a
cases-by-case basis.
 Exams (100 pts each): 8 February, 7 March, 4 April, 30 April
 Final exam (150 pts): Friday 9 May 2008 1:00 PM (the very last exam given during finals week)
Exams and quizzes are based upon lecture, text, and homework. The types of problems on the exams will be
short answer, naming compounds, drawing structures, mathematical problems, synthesis, and predicting products.
Some of the questions may incorporate two or three concepts. All of chemistry is cumulative, organic chemistry is no
exception. Therefore, exams, including the final, will be comprehensive.
Homework will be assigned for each chapter; generally this homework will not be collected or graded. It is
assigned with the expectation that you will complete the problems and discuss the work with classmates; if you have
trouble with the homework it is imperative that the questions be brought to my attention. The beginning of each
class period will have time for homework questions. On occasion additional homework may be assigned for grade.
This homework will not be accepted after the due date. Some of the graded work will be done as group work. The
homework is very important, keeping you up-to-date on the material and identifying problem areas before the
exam. They are for your benefit so do not blow them off.
METHOD OF EVALUATION: I do not use a curve for the class grades; rather, a straight percentage is used to
determine your grade.
90% A
80% B
65% C
55% D
MAKE-UP POLICY: Make-up exams for excused absences will be given on the last day of class only. The scheduled
time is 1:00-3:00 pm on Wednesday, 30 April 2008. This is the only opportunity to take a make-up exam. Other
assignments will not be accepted late.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance will be taken although it is not used in course evaluation.
It is highly
recommended that you attend class every day. Promptness is expected, you will not be allowed in if you are late.
ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: Any student found cheating will be subject to the penalties as stated in the Student
Code of Conduct handbook; including but not limited to a score of zero on exam, expulsion from the class or
expulsion from the University.
SEMESTER WITHDRAWALS : The last day to withdraw from the class with a “W” is 4 April 2008. Please consult with
instructor about drops
ACADEMIC DISABILITIES POLICY: If you have a documented disability that requires assistance, you will need to
register with the Office of Disability Services for coordination of your academic accommodations. The Office of
Disability Services is located in Peltier Hall, Room 100-A. The phone number is (985) 448-4430 (TDD 449-7002).
CLASS DISRUPTIONS: Are not tolerated. The use of cell phones, pager and/or any other electronic personal devise in
class is prohibited. Any infractions will result in the dismissal from class.
A few helpful suggestions for the next two semesters:
Carbon has 4 sticks
Watch electron direction
Draw arrows properly
Learn your acids and bases
Learn the functional groups