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Organic Chemistry

The chemistry of carbon compounds — structure and bonding, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, functional group transformations, spectroscopy, and retrosynthesis. From hybridization to multi-step synthesis.

5 modules·69 concepts·148 practice problems·~45 hours

Prerequisites

Exam Relevance

FE Exams1 exam
FE Chemical7% of exam
AP Exams1 exam
AP Chemistry15% of exam

Module Breakdown

1.Structure, Bonding, and Hybridization

12 concepts·10 problems

Orbital hybridization, sigma/pi bonds, resonance, electron effects, and acid-base chemistry.

12 concepts covered
Sp3 HybridizationSp2 HybridizationSp HybridizationSigma And Pi BondsBond Length Strength TrendsMolecular Orbital Theory IntroFormal Charge ElectronegativityResonance Structures Curved ArrowsResonance StabilityConjugation IntroInductive Vs Resonance EffectsPka Organic Acid Base

2.Alkanes and Cycloalkanes

13 concepts·8 problems

IUPAC nomenclature, conformational analysis, Newman projections, and cyclohexane chair conformations.

13 concepts covered
Iupac Naming AlkanesCommon Names Alkyl GroupsConstitutional IsomersDegrees Of UnsaturationFunctional Group SurveyHaloalkane Alcohol NomenclaturePolycyclic NomenclatureNewman ProjectionsButane Conformational AnalysisCycloalkane Ring StrainCyclohexane Chair ConformationsA Values MonosubstitutedDisubstituted Cyclohexanes

3.Stereochemistry

14 concepts·7 problems

Chirality, enantiomers, R/S configuration, Fischer projections, diastereomers, and meso compounds.

14 concepts covered
Chiral CentersEnantiomersRs ConfigurationOptical ActivityRacemic Mixtures EeFischer ProjectionsRs From FischerChirality Without StereocentersDiastereomersMeso CompoundsStereoisomer Count 2nResolution Of EnantiomersEz NomenclatureStereospecificity Stereoselectivity

4.Nucleophilic Substitution

13 concepts·10 problems

SN2 and SN1 mechanisms, nucleophilicity, leaving groups, and substitution strategy.

13 concepts covered
Nucleophiles ElectrophilesLeaving GroupsLeaving Group DerivativesSn2 MechanismSteric Effects Sn2Walden InversionNucleophilicity Vs BasicitySn1 MechanismCarbocation StabilityCarbocation RearrangementsSolvent Effects SubstitutionSn1 Vs Sn2 FrameworkSubstitution In Synthesis

5.Elimination and Alkene Reactions

17 concepts·9 problems

E2/E1 elimination, selectivity, electrophilic addition, and the alkene reaction toolbox.

17 concepts covered
E2 MechanismE2 Cyclic SystemsE1 MechanismZaitsevs RuleHofmann EliminationE1 Vs E2 FrameworkSubstitution Vs EliminationAlkene Stability HyperconjugationMarkovnikov HydrohalogenationAlkene HydrationAlkene HalogenationHydroboration OxidationCatalytic HydrogenationOzonolysisEpoxidationDihydroxylationOxidative Cleavage

Reference Textbooks

  • Clayden — Organic Chemistry
  • Wade — Organic Chemistry
  • McMurry — Organic Chemistry

Ready to practice Orgo?

148 practice problems with step-by-step solutions. Free, no credit card.