Organic Chemistry I | CHEM.X002_A

This course serves as the foundation for biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, environmental toxicology, and numerous other scientific disciplines. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the structure, properties, and reactivity of organic molecules, equipping students with the essential knowledge needed to understand biological processes, drug development, and chemical interactions in the environment. 

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course, you should be able to

• Analyze and represent organic molecules using appropriate structural conventions, including Lewis structures, line-angle drawings, and three-dimensional representations.
• Identify and classify organic acids, bases, hydrocarbons, and isomers, and evaluate their physical and chemical properties based on molecular structure.
• Predict and compare the mechanisms and outcomes of nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions (SN1, SN2, E1, E2), applying mechanistic reasoning and structure-reactivity relationships.
• Interpret spectroscopic data from NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry to deduce the structure of organic compounds.
• Describe and predict the reactivity of key functional groups-including alcohols, phenols, and carbon-carbon pi bonds-in fundamental organic reactions.

Topics Include

• Organic Structure and Representation The course introduces molecular representations and foundational concepts from general chemistry to prepare students for analyzing organic molecules.
• Acid-Base Chemistry and Hydrocarbons Students explore acid-base behavior in organic systems and study the structure and conformations of alkanes and cycloalkanes.
• Stereochemistry and Isomerism Emphasis is placed on recognizing and analyzing isomers, with a focus on stereochemistry and chirality.
• Substitution and Elimination Mechanisms Key reaction types-SN1, SN2, E1, and E2-are examined with attention to mechanistic pathways and influencing factors.
• Spectroscopy and Structural Analysis Students learn to interpret NMR, IR, and mass spectra to identify and characterize organic compounds.
• Functional Group Reactivity The course concludes with reactions involving alcohols, phenols, and carbon-carbon pi bonds, highlighting reactivity and mechanism.

Expected Effort

At UC schools, 1 credit hour typically requires about 3 hours of student work per week. Actual class meeting times may vary by course.

Course Eligibility and Prerequisites

Prerequisites: CHEM.X001_A (General Chemistry I), CHEM.X001_B (General Chemistry II), CHEM.X001_C (General Chemistry III) or equivalent non-UCSC courses.

This course is intended for postbaccalaureate students. UCSC undergraduates should follow their major's course requirements.