ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
COURSE POLICIES - Fall 2003
Professor Robert A. Demers
Two areas that sometimes cause confusion in a new course are testing and grading.
Hopefully, this document will help to eliminate any problems in these two areas.
My grading assignments are as follows:
94.0 - 100
89.5 - 94.4
86.3 - 89.4
82.9 - 86.2
79.5 - 82.8
76.3 - 79.4
72.9 - 76.2
69.5 - 72.8
66.3 - 69.4
62.9 - 66.2
59.5 - 62.8
Below 59.5
= A
= A= B+
= B
= B= C+
= C
= C= D+
= D
= D= F
During the semester there will be a total of five (5) exams, four (4) hour exams plus a
comprehensive final. There are no make-up exams during the semester. (A missed exam
can be made up if need be, during a make-up period at the end of the semester before the
final exam). The class part of your overall grade (65%) will be determined as follows:
After dropping the lowest hour exam grade, the final exam will be counted once and will
then replace any remaining hour exam that it exceeds. The average of these four (4)
grades will be your class grade. If you have an “A” average in the four hour exams you
will not have to take the final. The laboratory part of your grade will count 35%.
Laboratory grading will be discussed during the first lab.
The basic structure of the course is a lecture/lab format. I can not stress enough the
importance of keeping up with the work as we go along. While I do not formally keep
attendance, I consider you to be adults and simply expect that you will attend each class.
(Attendance in this course tends to be self-policing). Please feel free to come in for help
if you feel that you are falling behind -- or for that matter, just to chat. My office is in
Room S-107; telephone extension, 1656.
The tentative dates for the exams are: 9/26, 10/24, 11/17, 12/12
MASSASOIT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I (CHEM201)
FALL 2003
SYLLABUS
Course Description: This is a study of the main classes of organic compounds including
an introduction to natural products. The reaction mechanisms and the synthesis and
general properties of these compounds are discussed. The laboratory is both preparative
and analytical using classical and instrumental techniques. Lecture: 3 hours. Laboratory:
4 hours. Prerequisite: Chemistry II or instructor’s approval.
Instructor: Professor Robert A. Demers
Office:
S107, Telephone ex. 1656
Text: Brown and Foote, Organic Chemistry, 3rd Edition, Saunders, 2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Overall Objective: Organic Chemistry I is the first part of a two semester course whose
principal goal is to lay down a solid foundation in this discipline for the science oriented
student. Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to pursue the
normal follow-up courses in their chosen fields of study.
Chapter 1: The major focus of this chapter deals with a review of the basic principles
from General Chemistry I and II dealing with covalent bonding. The major topics include
the electronic structure of atoms, the Lewis model of bonding, covalent bonding, polar
bonding and the VSEPR theory of predicting molecular shapes. In addition, a review of
the Valence Bond theory as it applies to organic molecules and a brief review of
Molecular Orbital theory will be considered. Finally, an introduction to the some of the
more common organic functional groups will be covered.
Chapter 2: This chapter introduces alkanes and cycloalkanes. Organic nomenclature
(IUPAC System) for these groups is discussed in conjunction with constitutional
isomerism. Conformations of alkanes and cycloalkanes are considered in some detail
with particular emphasis given to energy considerations. Physical properties are
discussed as they relate to structure and a brief survey of the principal reactions of these
compounds are covered. The concept of stereoisomerism is introduced in this chapter
with a discussion of cis-trans isomerism in cycloalkanes.
Chapter 3: In this chapter we will focus on the topic of stereochemistry. We will begin
with a review of isomerism covered in earlier chapters (constitutional, conformational
and cis-trans). The R-S system of nomenclature will be considered along with the use of
Fischer Projection formulas to help visualize these molecules. Molecules with two or
more stereocenters will be covered. The properties and methods of separation of these
molecules will also be considered.
Chapter 4: A great many organic reactions are acid-base reactions and this chapter
discusses the Bronsted-Lowry theory in some detail as it applies to organic systems. The
concepts of hybridization, resonance and the electron-withdrawing inductive effects are
covered in terms of their relation of chemical structure to acidity.
Chapter 5: An introduction to alkenes in terms of nomenclature and structure is the focus
of this chapter. Both the valence bond theory and the molecular orbital theory are
considered in terms of looking at the structure of these molecules. Physical properties as
well as some of the methods of preparation are covered.
Chapter 6: This chapter continues our study of alkenes with a more detailed look at the
various reactions of these compounds.
Chapter 7: Chapter 7 covers the alkyl halides from the standpoint of structure,
nomenclature and physical properties. The central theme of the chapter is radical
halogenation of alkanes. It provides an introduction to the mechanistic concepts of chain
initiation, chain propagation and chain termination. Also included is an introduction to
organometallic compounds.
Chapter 8: This chapter covers an introduction to S 1, S 2, E1 and E2 reactions and
mechanisms and the attendant concepts of stereochemistry, kinetics and relationships
between structure and chemical reactivity.
Chapter 9: Alcohols and Thiols will be the focus of this chapter. Both groups will be
studied from the standpoint of their structure, nomenclature, physical properties, methods
of preparation and reactions.
Chapter 10: A continuation of our study of unsaturated hydrocarbons if undertaken with
the study of alkynes. We will look at these compounds from the standpoint of structure,
nomenclature, physical properties, preparations and reactions.
Wishing you a successful semester,
Professor Robert A. Demers