Chemistry Lesson 2
What are things made of?
(Introduction to Organic Chemistry)
Learning Objectives:
In this chapter you will learn about:

What are organic compounds

Alkanes: physical and chemical properties, chemical structures and applications

Isomerism of organic compounds

The geometrical isomerism and optical properties of alkenes

The delocalization of electrons in conjugated organic compounds.

Some simple functional group transformations between alcohols, alkyl halides,
ethers, carboxylic acids, and esters.

Some simple oxidation and reduction reactions in organic chemistry.

Two important applications of organic compounds in daily life: polymers and
detergents.
Suggested Time Allocation:
Part Theme
Powerpoint
Slides
Suggested time
allocation:
1
Introduction – What is organic chemistry?
2–6
20 mins
2
Simple hydrocarbons - alkanes
7 – 15
45 mins
3
Simple hydrocarbons - alkenes
16 - 23
45 mins
4
Aromatic compounds and delocalization
24 – 27
30 mins
5
Some examples of functional group
transformations
28 – 35
45 mins
6
Isomerism
36 – 39
30 mins
7
More examples of functional group
transformations
40 - 50
50 mins
8
Polymers and plastics
51 – 57
50 mins
9
Detergents
58 - 64
45 mins
Total time suggested:
360 mins
(6 hours)
Teachers Notes:
1.
2.
This module covers some of the important basic concepts in organic chemistry.
It allows students to get a brief overview about organic chemistry. Because of
the limited time available for the IJSO course, this module cannot cover all the
topics that are listed in the HKCEE / HKALE / NSS Chemistry curriculum. If
sufficient classroom sessions can be allocated, teachers are advised to further
enrich this module by referring to the related topics in the HKCEE / HKALE /
NSS Chemistry curriculum.
Knowledge prerequisites – it is recommended that the students have previously
learnt the following concepts:
-
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
7.
8.
Atomic structure and molecule structure
Chemical bonding (ionic bond, covalent bond)
Shape of some common molecules
- Different types of intermolecular forces
(Part 1) Students should recognize that because each carbon atom is capable of
forming four stable covalent bonds with other carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and or
hydrogen atoms, a huge number of organic compounds can be formed. Some
organic compounds have simple structures, while some compounds’ structures
are extremely complicated. It helps students to appreciate why the chemistry
of carbon compounds is often studied separately.
(Part 2) Students should recognize that compounds that belong to the same
homologous series have very similar chemical property. Their physical
properties, on the other hand, depend on the size and geometry of the molecules.
(Part 2) Students should recognize the existence of isomers in organic chemistry,
i.e., many structurally different compounds have the same molecular formula.
(Part 3) Students should recognize that alkenes can form geometrical isomers.
A C=C double bond cannot undergo bond rotation without breaking the bond.
(Part 3) Students should recognize that the light absorption properties of an
organic compound often depend on the number of conjugated double bonds that
present in the compound.
(Part 4) Students should recognize that aromaticity and electron delocalization
provide extra stabilization for a compound. Students should know how to use
resonance structures to represent some simple delocalization system.
(Part 5) Students should recognize that organic compounds are often classified
by the functional groups that they possess. Function groups determine the
chemical properties of organic molecules.
9.
(Part 5 & 7) Students should be familiarized with some common/simple
functional group transformations. These type of problems are frequently found
in examinations and tests.
10. (Part 8 & 9) Students should recognize the close relation between molecular
structures (form) and properties (functions). The structure of a polymer
molecule determines its chemical and physical properties. Detergents have
cleaning power because their molecules possess the dual
hydrophobic-hydrophilic properties.
Suggested Web-resources for Further Study:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
http://www.cem.msu.edu/~reusch/VirtualText/intro1.htm
- A comprehensive virtual textbook of Organic Chemistry
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Chemistry/5-12Spring-2005/CourseHome/index.ht
m
- MIT OpenCourseWare – Organic Chemistry I
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_chemistry
- Wikipedia – Organic Chemistry
http://www.haverford.edu/wintnerorganicchem/
- Online lectures and related texts on organic chemistry (advanced)
http://www.organicworldwide.net/
- Organic Chemistry Resource Worldwide