O-Chem
C H EM 301A - O rganic Chem istry L ecture N otes
© Dr. Peter de Lijser, 2011
Introduction – Welcome to O-chem!
“What is Organic Chemistry?”
Organic chemistry is the chemistry of Carbon.
“Why is Organic Chemistry Important for me?”
Organic Chemistry is the central science for many other fields:
•
Medicine/Pharmacy:
•
Biochemistry:
•
Industrial Applications:
•
Reaction Mechanisms:
What do "Organic Chemists" do?
•
Discover new reactions
•
Improve old reactions
•
Make new compounds
•
Isolate natural products
•
Study reaction mechanisms
Most importantly, studying Organic Chemistry will teach how to think in an “analytical” manner about problems and it will teach you problem solving skills. No matter what you will end up doing in your life, you will at some point need problem solving skills. No doubt, there will come a time when you are faced with a problem that will look unfamiliar to you, but with your basic knowledge you can deal with the situation and come up with a solution. Being able to apply your knowledge to an unknown problem is a tremendously important and beneficial skill!
C H EM 301A - O rganic Chem istry L ecture N otes
© Dr. Peter de Lijser, 2011
T opic A 1 : S tructure and Bonding
The Periodic Table
The nucleus contains positively charged protons and uncharged neutrons.
The electron cloud is composed of negatively charged electrons.
Elements in the same row are similar in size.
Elements in the same column have similar electronic and chemical properties.
An s orbital has a sphere of electron density and is lower in energy than the other orbitals of the same shell.
A p orbital has a dumbbell shape and contains a node of electron density at the nucleus. It is higher in energy than an s orbital.
C H EM 301A - O rganic Chem istry L ecture N otes
© Dr. Peter de Lijser, 2011
Since there is only one orbital in the first shell, and each shell can hold a maximum
© Dr. Peter de Lijser, 2011
Introduction – Welcome to O-chem!
“What is Organic Chemistry?”
Organic chemistry is the chemistry of Carbon.
“Why is Organic Chemistry Important for me?”
Organic Chemistry is the central science for many other fields:
•
Medicine/Pharmacy:
•
Biochemistry:
•
Industrial Applications:
•
Reaction Mechanisms:
What do "Organic Chemists" do?
•
Discover new reactions
•
Improve old reactions
•
Make new compounds
•
Isolate natural products
•
Study reaction mechanisms
Most importantly, studying Organic Chemistry will teach how to think in an “analytical” manner about problems and it will teach you problem solving skills. No matter what you will end up doing in your life, you will at some point need problem solving skills. No doubt, there will come a time when you are faced with a problem that will look unfamiliar to you, but with your basic knowledge you can deal with the situation and come up with a solution. Being able to apply your knowledge to an unknown problem is a tremendously important and beneficial skill!
C H EM 301A - O rganic Chem istry L ecture N otes
© Dr. Peter de Lijser, 2011
T opic A 1 : S tructure and Bonding
The Periodic Table
The nucleus contains positively charged protons and uncharged neutrons.
The electron cloud is composed of negatively charged electrons.
Elements in the same row are similar in size.
Elements in the same column have similar electronic and chemical properties.
An s orbital has a sphere of electron density and is lower in energy than the other orbitals of the same shell.
A p orbital has a dumbbell shape and contains a node of electron density at the nucleus. It is higher in energy than an s orbital.
C H EM 301A - O rganic Chem istry L ecture N otes
© Dr. Peter de Lijser, 2011
Since there is only one orbital in the first shell, and each shell can hold a maximum