Online Class: Organic Chemistry 101

This highly qualitative course begins by laying a foundation in quantum theory, which describes how atoms interact to form bonds and, thus, molecules.
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  • 25
    Lessons
  • 48
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 25
    Hours
    average time
  • 2.5
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

Organic chemistry is a branch of general chemistry that focuses on carbon-based compounds. Starting with the simplest molecules, alkanes (carbon chains bound to hydrogen atoms), the course expands to examine more complex molecules, including their basic properties, how they can be synthesized, and how they interact with other molecules.

 

This highly qualitative course begins by laying a foundation in quantum theory, which describes how atoms interact to form bonds and, thus, molecules. In addition to considering at chemical interactions, the course also takes a brief look at stereochemistry (the arrangement of molecules in three dimensions) and spectroscopy (using light to determine the composition of materials). The course culminates with a brief look at some elements of biochemistry, which examines the behavior of chemicals in biological systems (organisms). Emphases throughout the course include IUPAC nomenclature for organic molecules, the behavior and properties of chemicals with a variety of functional groups, and conceptual methods of synthesizing different organic compounds.

 

Although the course is not nearly an exhaustive examination of this highly complex subject, it provides a solid foundation for students who simply want to learn more about the subject or who want to review the material in preparation for an introductory or more advanced course in high school or college. Because the course is qualitative rather than quantitative, students do not require extensive math skills to complete the course successfully. Nevertheless, the course provides a solid conceptual understanding for those who wish to study elsewhere the quantitative aspects of the topic.

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  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 
 

Course Lessons

Lesson 1. Chemical Bonding Basics: A Dive into Organic Chemistry

Key bonding types like ionic and covalent are dissected to illustrate how atoms form stable compounds, focusing on electron donation or sharing. The lesson uses examples and Lewis structures to depict these processes in molecules such as NaCl and N?. Additional lesson topics: Tricks to Organic Chemistry; Organic Chemistry Fundamentals; Organic Chemistry I 20 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Bonding and Molecular Structure I: Chemical Bonding

Lesson 2. The Art of Drawing Organic Molecules

The representation of organic molecules can be streamlined by omitting certain atoms in diagrams and focusing on key structural components, which aids in distinguishing isomers. Concepts such as electron delocalization and the VSEPR model are essential for understanding molecule shape and behavior. 19 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Bonding and Molecular Structure II: The Structure and Representation of Organic Molecules

Lesson 3. The Fundamentals of Acids and Bases: A Comprehensive Exploration

Acids and bases can be defined through Arrhenius, Brønsted-Lowry, and Lewis models, each offering different criteria for classification based on ionization and electron interactions. The lesson delves into factors influencing acid/base strength, like bond strength and electron delocalization, to evaluate chemical reactions. 18 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Acids and Bases

Lesson 4. Mastering IUPAC Nomenclature for Basic Organic Molecules

Utilizing the IUPAC nomenclature rules allows for precise and systematic identification of alkanes, which includes naming based on the longest carbon chain and the position of substituents. Cycloalkanes, when containing only single bonds, follow similar naming conventions with additional rules to accommodate their ring structures. Additional lesson topics: How to name organic compounds using the IUPAC rules 20 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Alkanes and Cycloalkanes I: Nomenclature

Lesson 5. Intramolecular Mechanics of Alkanes and Cycloalkanes

While alkanes and cycloalkanes are mostly inert due to balanced electron charge distribution, their physical properties like boiling points are influenced by van der Waals forces derived from induced dipoles. Functional groups mark the active sites within organic molecules, dictating how these compounds interact with one another chemically. 20 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Alkanes and Cycloalkanes II: Bonding, Intermolecular Forces, and Functional Groups

Lesson 6. The Essentials: Naming Alkyl Halides, Alcohols, Alkenes, Alkynes

The lesson introduces IUPAC nomenclature for key organic compounds like alkyl halides, alcohols, alkenes, and alkynes, emphasizing systematic naming approaches such as functional class and substitutive nomenclature. Through practice problems, learners become adept at identifying the longest carbon chains and correctly naming various functional groups. 19 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Nomenclature for Alkyl Halides, Alcohols, Alkenes, and Alkynes

Lesson 7. The Role of Hybrid Orbitals in Double and Triple Bonds

Through exploring the unique properties and synthesis of alkenes and alkynes, the lesson reveals insights into orbital arrangement and reactivity. Emphasis is placed on the structural rigidity due to ? bonds and how elimination reactions with bases or acids facilitate the creation of alkenes. 20 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Alkenes/Alkynes I: Properties and Synthesis

Lesson 8. Addition Reactions: Beyond Carbon-Carbon Double Bonds

This lesson covers the addition reactions in unsaturated hydrocarbons, highlighting the reverse nature compared to elimination reactions and the impact of conditions like catalysts or temperature. Detailed exploration of hydrogenation, electrophilic additions, and adherence to Markovnikov's rule showcases their transformative chemical nature. 19 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Alkenes and Alkynes II: Addition Reactions

Lesson 9. Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions Simplified

A nucleophilic substitution swaps a functional group in alky halides using electron-seeking compounds. Key topics include S N 1 and S N 2 mechanisms and evaluating nucleophile strength through reactivity and structure considerations. 20 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Nucleophilic Substitution of Alkyl Halides

Lesson 10. Understanding the Handedness of Molecules

In exploring the intricacies of stereochemistry, this lesson delves into chirality and its impact on molecular behavior, focusing on chiral molecules, enantiomers, and chirality centers. By recognizing chirality's role in optical activity, you'll apply tools like Fischer projections and the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog priority system to understand the complex nature of molecular three-dimensionality. 21 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Stereochemistry

Lesson 11. Free Radicals and Their Role in Polymerization

In understanding polymerization and other reactions, free radicals serve as crucial intermediates due to their unpaired electrons and resultant reactivity. This lesson covers their formation and stabilization, highlighting examples such as methane chlorination to elucidate radical-driven reaction mechanisms. 10 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment

Lesson 12. Benzene: The Quintessential Arene

Benzene, a unique aromatic hydrocarbon, exhibits stability due to delocalized electrons in its ring structure. Its derivatives can be systematically named using IUPAC rules, considering specific substitution patterns. 10 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment

Lesson 13. Exploring the Reactions of Aromatic Compounds: An In-depth Guide to Electrophilic Substitution and Birch Reduction

Aromatic compounds display unique reactivity due to the reluctance toward typical addition reactions, opting instead for substitution to retain structure integrity. Benzene derivatives are synthesized via controlled mechanisms influenced by stability and resonance phenomena. 20 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 13 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 13 Reactions of Aromatic Compounds

Lesson 14. Introduction to Spectroscopy Techniques: NMR, Mass Spectrometry, and IR

Chemists employ NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and IR spectroscopy to decipher unknown chemical compositions. These techniques rely on the physical principles of light interaction, magnetic spin states, and ionized particle mass. 19 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 14 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 14 NMR, Mass Spectrometry, and Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy

Lesson 15. The Alchemy of Alcohols: Synthesis and Beyond

This lesson introduces the synthesis of alcohols by methods like reducing carbonyls and hydrating alkenes, moving beyond the classical focus on hydrocarbons. It further dives into alcohol reactions, unveiling transformations into alkenes, alkyl halides, and ethers, thus broadening the horizon of organic chemistry applications involving oxygen. 20 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 15 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 15 Synthesis and Reactions of Alcohols

Lesson 16. Ethers & Epoxides Decoded

The lesson explores the conversion of alcohols to ethers via condensation, emphasizing the nuances of ether and epoxide structures. It also delves into the reactions they undergo, including synthesis and cleavage, while highlighting the distinctive reactivity of epoxides compared to ethers. 20 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 16 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 16 Ethers and Epoxides

Lesson 17. The Role of Nucleophilic Addition in Carbonyl Chemistry

The lesson illuminates the structural similarities between aldehydes and ketones and explains how nucleophilic additions alter their chemistry. Factors like substituent group stability and steric hindrance greatly impact their hydration and energy release during reactions. 20 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 17 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 17 - Aldehydes and Ketones 1: Introduction and Nucleophilic Addition to Carbonyl Group

Lesson 18. The Chemistry of Enols, Enolates, and their Aldehyde and Ketone Counterparts

Focusing on enols and enolates, this lesson highlights their structural relationship with aldehydes and ketones, influencing the molecules' reactivity. Key reactions such as ?-halogenation and aldol condensation are framed by the pivotal role of ?-hydrogens' acidity and resonance stabilization. 20 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 18 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 18 - Aldehydes and Ketones 2: Enols and Enolates

Lesson 19. Diene Dynamics: Understanding Conjugated Systems

The interaction of conjugated dienes in chemical reactions exemplifies how combined functional groups differ from their isolated counterparts. This lesson elaborates on the peculiarities of conjugated dienes in the context of hydrogen halide additions and the intriguing Diels-Alder reaction mechanism. 20 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 19 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 19 - Conjugated Unsaturated Systems

Lesson 20. Exploring the Chemistry of ?-Dicarbonyls: Synthesis and Reactions Explained

This lesson explores the unique chemistry of ?-bicarbonyl compounds, characterized by two carbonyl groups separated by a single carbon, enabling special reactions such as acylation and alkylation. A notable synthesis involves the acylation of a ketone with an ester, forming ?-diketones, which can further undergo alkylation to form various products. 20 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 20 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 20 - Synthesis and Reactions of β-Bicarbonyl Compounds

Lesson 21. Exploring the World of Carboxylic Acids and Their Fascinating Derivatives

Introducing carboxylic acids and derivatives, this lesson covers nomenclature and key reactions, featuring synthesis methods like Grignard carboxylation. The mechanism of acid-catalyzed esterification exemplifies the reactivity of these compounds. 19 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 21 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 21 - Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives

Lesson 22. Amines: A Basic Introduction

In this lesson on nitrogen-containing compounds, we delve into amine characteristics, naming precedents, and typical reaction pathways. These compounds prove vital to understanding organic reactions, including hydrogen bonding and electron donation potential. 20 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 22 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 22 - Amines

Lesson 23. Delving Into Aromatic Substitutions: From Aniline to Aryl Halides

Phenols and aryl halides take center stage in this lesson, illustrating the nuances of their properties and nomenclature in relation to the benzene ring. The content highlights the synthesis pathways and reaction mechanisms, underscoring the role of electron delocalization in phenol acidity and aryl halide formation. 19 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 23 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 23 - Phenols and Aryl Halides

Lesson 24. Carbohydrates: An Overview

The intricacies of carbohydrates, from their classification as ketoses or aldoses to their behavior in cyclic formations, unveil their role as vital biological molecules. Fischer projections serve as a tool to recognize structural properties and stereochemical variations within this molecular class. 19 Total Points
  • Complete: Lesson 24 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 24 - Carbohydrates

Lesson 25. Exploring Lipids: A Gateway to Biochemistry

Lipids, being crucial for biological functions, possess a remarkable solubility in nonpolar solvents, unlike many organic molecules. This lesson reviews lipid varieties such as fats and waxes, serving to conclude the course with foundational insights into organic chemistry. 94 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: What do you think about this course?; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments; Course Comments
  • Assessment: Lesson 25 - Lipids
  • Assessment: The Final Exam
546
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Define chemical bonding.
  • Describe the structure and representation of organic molecules.
  • Describe acids and bases.
  • Describe nomenclature.
  • Demonstrate bonding, intermolecular forces, and functional groups.
  • Describe nomenclature for alkyl halides, alcohols, alkenes, and alkynes.
  • Summarize properties and synthesis.
  • Identify addition reactions.
  • Recognize nucleophilic substitution of alkyl halides.
  • Demonstrate stereochemistry .
  • Summarize free radical reactions.
  • Define aromatic compounds (arenes).
  • Define reactions of aromatic compounds.
  • Summarize nmr, mass spectrometry, and infrared (ir) spectroscopy.
  • Describe synthesis and reactions of alcohols.
  • Summarize ethers and epoxides.
  • Summarize nucleophilic addition to carbonyl group.
  • Describe enols and enolates.
  • Describe conjugated unsaturated systems.
  • Recognize synthesis and reactions of &946;-bicarbonyl compounds.
  • Describe carboxylic acids and derivatives.
  • Summarize amines.
  • Describe phenols and aryl halides.
  • Identify carbohydrates.
  • Describe lipids.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Student Testimonials

  • "The instructor has been wonderful and knowledgeable in every course I've taken with her. I have appreciated her help in the subject matter, and wish her the best." -- Ian B.

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