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This course serves as a continuation of Organic Chemistry I and provides further, fundamental overview of classical organic chemistry. After taking this course—students should gain general understanding of the concept of aromaticity and nomenclature of aromatic compounds—followed by more in-depth focus on two fundamental transformations: Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution (SEAr) and Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution (SNAr). Students will learn the difference between Electron Withdrawing Groups (EWG) and Electron Donating (Releasing) Groups; and, various synthetic transformations involving aromatic compounds, including named reaction such as Friedel-Crafts Alkylation and Acylation.

The course also provides a general overview of two important spectroscopic methods of characterization of organic compounds: IR (Infrared) spectroscopy and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy. Specifically, it covers analysis of IR and 1H Proton NMR spectra and introduction to 13C Carbon NMR spectroscopy.

The course continues to cover properties and synthesis involving some of the most important functional groups: ketones and aldehydes, stability and reactivity of a carbonyl group C=O; and, carboxylic acids and their derivatives (acid halides, acid anhydrides, esters, amides and nitriles). The course will then progress to provide a more-focused overview of enols and enolates, keto-enol tautomerization and key reactions involving enols: Haloform Reaction; Aldol Condensation; Claisen Condensation; Michael Addition, etc. Students will also be introduced to amines and anilines, their synthesis and chemical properties including aromatic diazonium salts formation and their synthetic utility.

The course concludes with an overview of the Diels-Alder reaction (also known as [4+2] cycloaddition): mechanism, dienes versus dienophiles and the formation of [2.2.1] bicycles (the difference between endo-products and exo-products).

This course is designed for biology, pre-medical, pre-nursing, preclinical, pre-health students and anyone who is interested in learning introductory organic chemistry. A foundation in general chemistry and completion of Organic Chemistry I is recommended to understand the topics of this course.


Format
 

This course is offered in an online asynchronous format. There are no set meeting times, however, students follow a weekly schedule and there will be deadlines to meet in terms of course requirements. This course cannot be completed at an accelerated rate.


Contact Information:
Fiona O'Donnell-Lawson
unexbio@ucsd.edu

 

 

Course Number: CHEM-40011
Credit: 4.50 unit(s)

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